It follows that quantity of avocations correlates positively with winning Nobel Prizes, despite the time these hobbies take time away from one’s specialization.
An alternative explanation is that there are factors that both allow having hobbies and increase the probability of winning a Nobel Prize. Things like “having lots of free time” and “not having to worry about various problems”.
It is true that hobbies and specialization compete against each other for time and attention. But there are also other things that compete with both hobbies and specialization; and if you succeed to eliminate them (e.g. by being rich, having a spouse that takes care of everything, or living an ascetic life), it provides more space to both.
An alternative explanation is that there are factors that both allow having hobbies and increase the probability of winning a Nobel Prize. Things like “having lots of free time” and “not having to worry about various problems”.
It is true that hobbies and specialization compete against each other for time and attention. But there are also other things that compete with both hobbies and specialization; and if you succeed to eliminate them (e.g. by being rich, having a spouse that takes care of everything, or living an ascetic life), it provides more space to both.