If you could entertain millions of people under the guise of scientific research while enjoying lots of free food, a free stay in a luxury apartment in Boston, and earn a $3,000 stipend in the process, wouldn't it be hard to say no? But wait, there's just one catch: you have to gain 30 pounds (13.6 kg) in one month.
Inspired by the "lose 30 pounds in 30 days" gimmick diets, Spark, the Web's biggest humor site, set up just such an experiment in October.
Almost 3 million individuals per month are visiting thespark.com They go there to read about its bizarre projects, learn about themselves through a barrage of silly-yet-serious questionnaire type tests, send funny e-cards to friends, meet people, read articles, and just be entertained in general.
For October's "Fat Project," 20-year-old Nicole from Haleyville, Alaska, was recruited by the site's managing editor, Christian Rudder, to move to Boston for the express purpose of beefing up her 170 cm, 55 kg frame.