> The existence of professional OnlyFans chatters wouldn’t have surprised me so much if I’d given just a few moments’ thought to the mathematical realities of the platform.
That’s basically why I first got a New Yorker magazine subscription. My roommate had one and I’d start reading the articles and be like “Damn I just read 20 pages on the history of banana cultivation and I’m absolutely transfixed.”
It’s irresponsible of you to tell people about Banana History without warning them first.
DO NOT GO DOWN THE BANANA PATH. Pretty soon you’re reading up on genetics to understand the impending Banana Apocalypse. Or the many, many literal banana-related wars that have been fought over banana cultivation. Or how one can watch thirty seconds of breathless Fox News coverage about border crises and trace it directly back to bananas. Or how the entire modern legal system has been profoundly influenced by multiple banana-related incidents.
When I found out that “slipping and falling on a banana peel” didn’t originate in cartoons but was an actual widespread issue? That’s when I realized I had dug too deep into the mysteries of banana journalism.
Me too. I have had that exact same thought. But the writer is correct. If you give it a moment of critical thought it's quite obvious. Yet I failed to identify it.
Your online influencer girlfriend is actually a rotating cast of low-wage workers. I became one of them.
OnlyFans has thrived by promising its reported 190 million users that they can have direct access to an estimated 2.1 million creators. It’s impossible for even a modestly popular creator to cope with the avalanche of messages they receive each day. The $5.6 billion industry has solved this logistical conundrum by entrusting its chat duties to a hidden proletariat, a mass of freelancers who sustain the illusion that OnlyFans’ creators are always eager to engage—sexually and otherwise—with paying customers.
“We have literal slaves on this account, meaning these people are so in love and obsessed and literally infatuated by anything that the girl does that they will open up their wallet to about $100,000 a month. And they will literally dump it all onto the girl. Just dumping, dumping, dumping, because we’ve done a good job of evaluating these people and dominating them and giving them enough praise.”
I wanted to know more about this murky yet vital sector of the OnlyFans economy, so I set out to interview some veteran chatters. But nearly everyone I contacted was reluctant to open up. Some demanded to be paid for their insight; others ghosted me after initially agreeing to speak. I couldn’t fault them for their wariness: OnlyFans is already a touchy subject because sex weirds people out, and chatters have nothing to gain by revealing one of the platform’s shadier quirks. “We need to be anonymous so we can get hired,” said Bel, a 26-year-old engineering student from Argentina who moonlights as a chat specialist.
Gradually I realized that my best shot at understanding how chatters operate would be to join their ranks.
Articles like this one should be included in the envelope your credit card comes in.
Is there 1 aspect of the internet that doesn't exist solely to separate fools from their cash?
Super interesting article. Reminds me of how some current text scams are being run by enslaved people in Southeast Asia in a similar chat farming manner. Not a long read but a long listen, the podcast ‘Search Engine’ did a great episode on that titled ‘Who's behind these scammy text messages we've all been getting?’ about an investigative reporter looking into it. Definitely recommend.
Yeah r/scams is full of people who fell for the “pig butchering” scams. Its so sad when it’s senior citizens, I volunteer with them and try to always have information about scams for them to be aware of!
Bon_Courage_ | 2 years ago
Really interesting and eye opening.
> The existence of professional OnlyFans chatters wouldn’t have surprised me so much if I’d given just a few moments’ thought to the mathematical realities of the platform.
I liked this line as its totally true.
Reputable_Sorcerer | 2 years ago
It’s awesome when you get an article about an interesting topic, with interesting insights from the writer, and well-written sentences.
CactusBoyScout | 2 years ago
That’s basically why I first got a New Yorker magazine subscription. My roommate had one and I’d start reading the articles and be like “Damn I just read 20 pages on the history of banana cultivation and I’m absolutely transfixed.”
WeeBabySeamus | 2 years ago
I’m a fan of this medium-sized read on Pakistani mangos
https://www.eater.com/22618349/pakistani-mangoes-chaunsa-anwar-ratol-buy-usa-whatsapp-shipping-supply-chain
CactusBoyScout | 2 years ago
Nice. Will add to my list.
The New Yorker also had a very good one on how new varieties of apples are brought to market: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/11/21/crunch
It’s specifically about the SweeTango apple which is possibly my favorite apple of all time.
Wide__Stance | 2 years ago
It’s irresponsible of you to tell people about Banana History without warning them first.
DO NOT GO DOWN THE BANANA PATH. Pretty soon you’re reading up on genetics to understand the impending Banana Apocalypse. Or the many, many literal banana-related wars that have been fought over banana cultivation. Or how one can watch thirty seconds of breathless Fox News coverage about border crises and trace it directly back to bananas. Or how the entire modern legal system has been profoundly influenced by multiple banana-related incidents.
When I found out that “slipping and falling on a banana peel” didn’t originate in cartoons but was an actual widespread issue? That’s when I realized I had dug too deep into the mysteries of banana journalism.
CactusBoyScout | 2 years ago
Even just learning about the downfall of Big Mike and how that’s why artificial banana flavor tastes nothing like real bananas… 🤯
threestepsonthewater | 2 years ago
Similar problem, I have lost weeks of my life to the siren song of Wikipedia’s articles on citrus taxonomy. Cannot recommend highly enough.
AiReine | 2 years ago
That triangle graph on the citrus taxonomy Wikipedia page has taken up permanent residence in my brain.
gotogarrett | 2 years ago
I miss rewards. I’d give you gold for this. May it live ever in internet history.
DreddPirateBob808 | 2 years ago
It's a slippery slope
ConcertinaTerpsichor | 2 years ago
This has John McPhee’s name all over it.
CactusBoyScout | 2 years ago
It was Mike Peed apparently: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/01/10/we-have-no-bananas
I'm shocked that's a real name.
ConcertinaTerpsichor | 2 years ago
You know middle school was hard.
You would love John McPhee if you haven’t read him. Try Oranges.
awyastark | 2 years ago
I once saw a sign urging people to vote for Carl Peed for sheriff and I think about it literally daily
CactusBoyScout | 2 years ago
Kinky Friedman remains my favorite politician name. Although he adopted the nickname Kinky, so somewhat less fun.
I also have no idea what his actual politics were, just liked the name.
ConcertinaTerpsichor | 2 years ago
He was great! An outspoken Texas Jewish democrat singer and songwriter.
awyastark | 2 years ago
r/itsroger material for sure
CactusBoyScout | 2 years ago
I did kind of wonder how they were supposedly chatting with all these lonely dudes all day.
Bon_Courage_ | 2 years ago
Me too. I have had that exact same thought. But the writer is correct. If you give it a moment of critical thought it's quite obvious. Yet I failed to identify it.
Konradleijon | 2 years ago
Interesting
ViolaOrsino | 2 years ago
>An agency in Los Angeles liked my résumé enough to arrange a phone interview. I spoke to the founder, the son of a 1980s pop star
I’ve gotta know which nepo baby used his parent’s money to start an illustrious OF chatter business
Hereibe | 2 years ago
And is pulling the classic bait-and-switch of only offering an intern position when they post for a paid one. That's the cherry on top!
WaWa-Biscuit | 2 years ago
So the internet cycle is complete: we have returned to guys jerking off while talking to guys pretending to be women.
DescriptionProof871 | 2 years ago
We’re going back to aol
OddS0cks | 2 years ago
Ashley Madison Part 2 : Electric Boogaloo
[OP] wiredmagazine | 2 years ago
By Brendan l. Koerner
Your online influencer girlfriend is actually a rotating cast of low-wage workers. I became one of them.
OnlyFans has thrived by promising its reported 190 million users that they can have direct access to an estimated 2.1 million creators. It’s impossible for even a modestly popular creator to cope with the avalanche of messages they receive each day. The $5.6 billion industry has solved this logistical conundrum by entrusting its chat duties to a hidden proletariat, a mass of freelancers who sustain the illusion that OnlyFans’ creators are always eager to engage—sexually and otherwise—with paying customers.
“We have literal slaves on this account, meaning these people are so in love and obsessed and literally infatuated by anything that the girl does that they will open up their wallet to about $100,000 a month. And they will literally dump it all onto the girl. Just dumping, dumping, dumping, because we’ve done a good job of evaluating these people and dominating them and giving them enough praise.”
I wanted to know more about this murky yet vital sector of the OnlyFans economy, so I set out to interview some veteran chatters. But nearly everyone I contacted was reluctant to open up. Some demanded to be paid for their insight; others ghosted me after initially agreeing to speak. I couldn’t fault them for their wariness: OnlyFans is already a touchy subject because sex weirds people out, and chatters have nothing to gain by revealing one of the platform’s shadier quirks. “We need to be anonymous so we can get hired,” said Bel, a 26-year-old engineering student from Argentina who moonlights as a chat specialist.
Gradually I realized that my best shot at understanding how chatters operate would be to join their ranks.
The full feature here: https://www.wired.com/story/i-went-undercover-secret-onlyfans-chatter-wasnt-pretty/
Hereibe | 2 years ago
>“We need to be anonymous so we can get hired,” said Bel, a 26-year-old engineering student from Argentina who moonlights as a chat specialist.
Brendan why. Dick move of him to write that second sentence.
RakelvonB1 | 2 years ago
That stood out to me too! 😆
Tao_Te_Gringo | 2 years ago
This article was mind-blowing.
dongtouch | 2 years ago
At some point we will reach the singularity where the internet is entirely porn, scams, and AI.
Great read.
nursepineapple | 2 years ago
Dead Internet Theory
G33nid33 | 2 years ago
Articles like this one should be included in the envelope your credit card comes in.
Is there 1 aspect of the internet that doesn't exist solely to separate fools from their cash?
MajorScore | 2 years ago
There really is a sub reddit for everything!
throwaway2938293787 | 2 years ago
This reminds me of a great piece (here) I read awhile ago written by another former OnlyFans chatter!!
SendPicsForMouseOC | 2 years ago
This is lovely; thank you!
very_smol | 2 years ago
This was a great read - thank you for sharing!
Fridayesmeralda | 2 years ago
Wow thanks for sharing, that was really interesting
TypicalDesk6573 | 2 years ago
I wish it wasn't gated - sounds fascinating!
skvenus | 2 years ago
Here you go: https://archive.ph/zaN9j
TypicalDesk6573 | 2 years ago
thanks!
missella98 | 2 years ago
Super interesting article. Reminds me of how some current text scams are being run by enslaved people in Southeast Asia in a similar chat farming manner. Not a long read but a long listen, the podcast ‘Search Engine’ did a great episode on that titled ‘Who's behind these scammy text messages we've all been getting?’ about an investigative reporter looking into it. Definitely recommend.
gramma-space-marine | 2 years ago
Yeah r/scams is full of people who fell for the “pig butchering” scams. Its so sad when it’s senior citizens, I volunteer with them and try to always have information about scams for them to be aware of!
satanwisheshewereme | 2 years ago
Is this what Amanda Tori Meating on RPDR does lmao
sparkling-spirit | 2 years ago
for me i feel a bit sad after reading that - i feel badly for how lonely people are out there.
SeaF04mGr33n | 2 years ago
Right?? I've found this on dating apps too. Plenty of fairly nice guys who just don't have people to talk to, I guess.
apurrfectplace | 2 years ago
Wow, this was an interesting read.
gotogarrett | 2 years ago
Outstanding. Thank you!