the question of the week is

[redbird]

Should I apply to be one of Google's paid researchers?

Pro: I think I'd be moderately good at it, and I enjoy finding things out and telling people about them.

Con: I suspect it wouldn't pay very well, on an hourly basis. And if I'm going to start doing as work what I now do for pleasure, I want a good pay rate.

Comments

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

applying for it doesn't mean committing yourself to definitely taking the job when and if (and i bet when) they offer it to you.

i think it's certainly worth finding out how much it pays.

Google Paid Researcher

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

It struck us that it would be the perfect job for Gary. I've now been accepted as a researcher; I've answered one question so far -- and that one was in the negative. The problem seems to be a shortage of questions. The easy ones get picked up and answered instantly, and the hard ones hang around for ages, accreting more and more Usenet-like contrary advice in comments.

As for the per-hourly pay, my feeling is that it's a bit like epinions. You'd never make enough money to make it a worthwhile career, but if it allows you to get paid for the sort of stuff you like to do anyway, that's ok.

Re: Google Paid Researcher

[redbird]

It's definitely the job for Gary.

It's good knowing you're doing it. In theory, I should be focusing on something I can live on. In practice, I'm not: and nethack doesn't pay at all.