A hearty

Congratulations!

today to Harold Camping, co-winner of the 2011 Ig Nobel Prize in mathematics.

Mr. Camping deserves huzzahs (a) if he correctly predicted that the world would end today; or (2) if he and we survive the day. It’s a win-win situation for Mr. Camping!

BACKGROUND: Watch video of the prize being announced at the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony! The 2011 Ig Nobel Prize in mathematics was awarded to Dorothy Martin of the USA (who predicted the world would end in 1954),Pat Robertson of the USA (who predicted the world would end in 1982), Elizabeth Clare Prophet of the USA (who predicted the world would end in 1990), Lee Jang Rim of KOREA (who predicted the world would end in 1992), Credonia Mwerinde of UGANDA (who predicted the world would end in 1999), and Harold Camping of the USA (who predicted the world would end on September 6, 1994 and later predicted that the world will end on October 21, 2011), for teaching the world to be careful when making mathematical assumptions and calculations.

EXPLAINER: Harold Camping explains —in his mathematics textbook — how he does math.

BONUS: Map showing location of possible party to celebrate Harold Camping’s triumph: