Anat Admati is the George G.C. Parker Professor of Finance and Economics at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and coauthor of The Bankers’ New Clothes: What’s Wrong with Banking and What to Do About It. Before talking about how we can prevent the next financial crisis, she confessed about what keeps her up at night, the career she’d most like to practice in her next life, and why she sees the glass half full, even though she’s prone to worrying.
What keeps you up at night?
Things I have to do. Things that seem wrong in the world. Anything about my kids, if that happens—less so now because they’re bigger.
What do you do to clear your mind?
I take walks; I talk with my friends; I read books.
What’s the last great book you read?
I’m reading right now Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon. Great book. [It’s long!] It’s better on Kindle, because you don’t see how long it is.
What’s the first thing you bought with your own money?
A car because I moved to California, and then I went on a trip to Italy. That was the first I could afford on my own.
If you could play an instrument, which would you choose?
The cello.
What’s your favorite children’s story or fable?
The Little Prince. Is it a children’s story? I’m not sure. I only understood it as an adult of course.
How do you like your steak?
Medium rare.
What’s the best question you’ve been asked so far about your book?
Do I think it can make a difference?
Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?
I’m a worrier, but I try to see it half full. It kind of depends on the issue.
What profession would you practice in your next life?
I’d be a tour guide, maybe.