Over on the php|architect blog this morning, there's an interesting notion presented about awards.

Why doesn't php|a hand out awards? The problem that I have with awards, and the reason why we've gone this route, is that the concept of award itself has a negative connotation as far as I am concerned. An "award" is, by definition, a recognition of excellence for something that has already been done. This, to me, greatly limits its usefulness in an environment in which what we really need is a desire to move forward rather than looking back.

Of course, recieving an award does help "prove", in a way, that you are one of the best at doing whatever around. I can understand his thought process here. Why recognize the past when the future hold so much promise? It seems to me that awards and certifications are almost in the same boat - recognition of the past for work done. What do you all think? Are awards a good thing, or do you think most people "coast" after recieving something, riding on that fame?