Is There a Positive Side to the Fields Medal?

In some ways I think what you might be hinting at is that potentially the benefits of some awards might be seen more in the people who don't win. So there's also this negative side about it. It didn't produce with the recipients of the Fields Medal, but with the others. And I think the others who didn't get the prize want to get recognition in some other way and therefore work hard while the recipients are satisfied.