The Smithsonian Institution tends to highlight physical items of historical or cultural significance, but every year, the Smithsonian magazine moves its focus to actual people with historical or cultural significance for its American Ingenuity Awards. The winners come from nine different categories, all of which are based around the betterment of society in one way or another, and this year they include recognizable famous people like Aziz Ansari, David Lynch, and the members of OK Go. Evidently, comedy shows, spooky dramas, and gimmicky music videos are actually making the world a better place.
The winners will be highlighted at an awards ceremony on December 8, and each one will also be included in a special American Ingenuity Awards issue of the Smithsonian magazine that will be available later this month. The press release doesn’t specify whether the winners will receive a special plaque or trophy, but we imagine they’ll at least get a nice sash to wear around.
The full list of honorees is below:
Social Progress: Marc Edwards and LeeAnne Walters, a professor and mother (respectively) who helped spread awareness of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.