When people hear “Nobel Prize,” they often think of Stockholm, Sweden — the birthplace of Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite and founder of the world’s most prestigious awards. Yet one exception stands out: the Nobel Peace Prize is presented not in Stockholm but in Oslo, Norway.
A Gift from a Troubled Inventor
Alfred Nobel (1833 – 1896) was a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor of more than 350 patents. His childhood was marked by financial hardship and constant struggle, yet it was within those pressures that his creativity ignited — a living example of the Tao of Quantum: when the wave of adversity compresses, the opposite force of innovation expands.
Through persistence, he discovered dynamite, intending it to help humankind peacefully build tunnels, roads, and mines. But the same invention was soon used to destroy. In this lies a profound paradox — the Yin and Yang of existence. The light of progress cannot exist without the shadow of misuse. Nobel’s life illustrates the Tao of Quantum truth: within every particle of creation hides its opposite potential.
The Scandinavian Union and the Choice of Oslo
During Nobel’s lifetime, Sweden and Norway were united under one monarch (1814 – 1905). Although politically joined, the two nations differed deeply in temperament: Sweden carried a more militaristic history, while Norway was known for its peaceful, democratic spirit.
In his will, Nobel instructed that prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, and Literature be awarded in Stockholm, but that the Peace Prize be presented in Oslo, overseen by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting). Historians suggest that Nobel, aware of Sweden’s warlike past, viewed Norway as a more neutral and harmonious setting — a place where the Yin of reflection could balance the Yang of power.
The Tao of Quantum in Nobel’s Legacy
Seen through The Tao of Quantum, Nobel’s decision embodies balance and transformation. From destruction came renewal; from guilt emerged generosity. His invention held both potential for harm and for progress — just as a quantum field holds both wave and particle, energy and emptiness. Looking deeply into anything, we find this same dual nature — the dance of Yin and Yang that defines the universe and human destiny alike.
A Tradition of Hope
Every December 10 — the anniversary of Nobel’s death — the world turns to Oslo City Hall, where laureates receive their medals, diplomas, and words of gratitude. From Martin Luther King Jr. to Malala Yousafzai, these moments remind us that even an inventor once linked to destruction left humankind its greatest symbol of hope and harmony.
“From a man who made dynamite came the world’s most powerful prize for peace — the ultimate Yin–Yang transformation.”
🕊 Inspired by: Alfred Nobel’s legacy, RFI Tiếng Việt report, and The Tao of Quantum reflections
(© Dave H. Huynh – The Tao of Quantum Blog)
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