[minthd]

Most people at hackatons expect they'll need to build something in order to win. So they constrain their ideas around that - and then do the hard work of building that.

It's about fairness towards the other participants of the hackatons.

Otherwise ,if hackatons were about ideas, most people wouldn't bother coding.

[rotoole]

I'd argue they did build a technology solution, they did constrain their ideas to achieve it during the hack-a-thon, and their "inspiration" award is just that. They were awarded for their ideas and efforts, despite their lack of skills. It's a message of encouragement to others who are just starting out.

This article is like a high schooler getting jealous of a kindergardener for getting a gold star on their homework.