One of London’s Raven Masters. Image Credit: Spitalfieldslife.com
This weekend’s lineup of weird jobs starts off with a bit of an oxymoron; how is hacking ethical? Wearing a white hat only means they’re getting paid by someone to learn how to beat the system… I’m sure there’s more to it, but it’s a fine “ethical” line, isn’t it? The second job, hitchhiking, reminds me of James Corden’s car karaoke videos, though I doubt the Indonesian drivers are singing along with their passengers.
The job that captures my attention most in this list is that of the Raven Master; think about it: Someone gets paid to pamper wild ravens to convince them to stay in the Tower of London because of a legend. They’re not taking any chances with the future of England, are they? That train of thought opens up all kinds of possibilities for a vivid imagination and science fiction, doesn’t it?
- Professional Ethical Hacker
- Professional Hitchhiker (Indonesia): The government has restricted some lanes of traffic to only cars with 3 or more people due to overcrowding. Poor people from the city outskirts take advantage of this by offering drivers to ride with them in the “fast lanes”.
- Professional Line-Standers: Do one thing most of us have no patience for: waiting in line. These professionals are especially busy during big sales (think Black Friday) and product launches (new iPhone releases, for example). Rates vary, but one professional line-stander told Business Insider he earns up to $1,000 a week.
- Professional Mourners (usually Asia and Africa): Attend funerals and grieve for the deceased. A company in England called Rent A Mourner specializes in the industry, offering mourners for two hours for roughly $70.
- Professional Sleeper
- Professional Wingwalker: Those crazy people who walk on airplane wings for stunt shows.
- Queen’s Piper
- Raven Master (UK): Charged with caring for the ravens in the Tower of London; legend has it that if ravens abandon the site, the White Tower will crumble, and England will fall.
- Ribbon Candy Puller
Stephanie Huesler 