World Famous Sex Blogger's Day Job? Research Scientist.

Discoblog
By Brett Israel
Nov 17, 2009 9:25 PMNov 20, 2019 3:53 AM
red-light-web.gif

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Belle de Jour, the best-selling author who penned books about her life as a call girl, revealed her true identity over the weekend. Her name is Brooke Magnanti. Dr. Brooke Magnanti to be exact. It turns out she's a cancer researcher who began turning tricks while in grad school. Via the London Times:

Magnanti is a respected specialist in developmental neurotoxicology and cancer epidemiology in a hospital research group in Bristol. Six years ago, in the final stages of her PhD thesis, she ran out of money and turned to prostitution through a London escort agency, charging £300 an hour. Already an experienced science blogger, she began writing about her experiences in a web diary that was adapted into books and a television drama starring Billie Piper.

It's not like she didn't try to find honest work. She told the Times that at one point during her double life she had a job as a computer programmer, "but I kept up with my other work because it was so much more enjoyable.” So what do you think readers? Is this a commentary on how poorly grad students, and scientists in general, are compensated? More reactions over at The Great Beyond. Related Content: Discoblog: Is It “Science” to Show Cadavers Having Sex? Discoblog: Does the Taste of Semen Have Evolutionary Roots? Discoblog: When Technology Gets Creepy: Giving Birth in Second Life

Image: flickr / keepwaddling1

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.