You put it jokingly? But distinguished people should definitely get some state managed perks like politicians do.
Besides, where would you put the bar for “distinguished”? Who would take the decision?
Which should make the problems of any such system obvious: it inevitably becomes yet another “in club” for people with connections and power.
Grand prizes with honorariums and perks of various kinds are a longstanding tradition with value.
I was mostly kidding, but: Kernighan totally can afford a big internet connection wherever he is. But he chooses not to buy it. The social benefit from him having one likely outweighs the personal benefit from him buying it.
Of course, if I still operated internet access and Kernighan was in my area, I'd definitely comp him a circuit. :P