Nobel laureates, they’re just like you and me. Sort of. They aren’t always sequestered in a lab solving the next scientific conundrum. Sometimes they’re watching TMZ with a white chocolate mocha in hand. (Not really—we made that up.) However, here are examples of actual pastimes enjoyed by Stanford Nobel winners, in their own words.
William Sharpe, winner in 1990 for economics
“Being hooked on Billions, a TV series about a nefarious hedge fund manager and a flawed U.S. Attorney trying to bring him
to justice.”
W.E. Moerner, winner in 2014 for chemistry
“I take (guilty) pleasure in clearing my mind with singing great classical music with the Stanford Symphonic Chorus (when I can), or enjoying various radio challenges as part of the Stanford Amateur Radio Club (when I can).”
Robert Laughlin, winner in 1998 for physics
“Let’s just say I spend lots of time thinking about scores of Bach, Beethoven and Debussy, trying to figure out what they did and how they did it.
“I am also an avid mountain biker. I’m 65, and I still bike up to Skyline pretty regularly.”
Carl Wieman, PhD ’77, winner in 2001 for physics
“Does a great weakness for dark chocolate count?”
Alvin Roth, winner in 2012 for economics
“When I was young, I enjoyed science fiction, and I have recently begun to do so again. For example, I like the Chinese author Liu Cixin.”
Michael Spence, winner in 2001 for economics
“Design Week in Milan—a very special event for all the people.
“Boating, fishing and swimming in Liguria, Florida Keys and Bahamas.”
