Sam Bourque, 32
Unemployed (Canadian)
It was more theatrical than anything else. It was about the momentum Obama can generate rather than anything he has achieved. It brings into question the legitimacy of the prize.

Aya Ando, 22
Student (Japanese)
Obama talks about peace and anybody can do that, but it seems a bit like a religion. People seem to be listening to Obama and believing what he says but not actually looking at his actions.

Damian Assels, 29
Student (Canadian)
It seems like a show. The U.S. hasn't done anything for peace. They are still fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there is tension now with Iran. It just doesn't add up to me.

Miho Morinaga, 35
Translator (Japanese)
Any American president could have won the peace prize after George W. Bush. I think that it should have been awarded to someone who opposes nuclear weapons, but maybe not Obama.

Mark Keene, 39
Program developer (American)
It might have been a political move, but maybe not a bad one. They wouldn't normally give a prize to a president in office, but this may be a way of helping him achieve future peace agreements.

Hayden Scott, 42
Patent rewriter (British)
I think it is a fantastic contradiction, because Obama is involved in two wars in the Middle East. Having said that, he is at least trying to build bridges in the region.