[q845712]

I think the original Nobel prize was some guy realizing he hadn't done enough good in his life and trying to rectify it.

I think the economics prize was a group of people with ties to money and power trying to add weight and credence to theories that would support their continued access to money and power.

Neither is flawless but one is much more ... noble?... than the other.

[Clubber]

It was the guy who invented dynamite. Dynamite is pretty useful in extracting stuff and building stuff when things like mountains are in the way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Nobel