NASA’s making the offer. Of course, it doesn’t answer some important questions: Will they mount a flatscreen on the ceiling? Hook that up to a computer/internet, etc.? Can you still hold a job as long as you comply with the rules (programmer, telemarketer, etc.)? Does it have to be on the back the whole time, or is shifting allowed? What about conjugal visits (as long as the other partner does all the work)?
I don’t know whether the bedroom photo is accurate or not–if it is, I’d have to have second thoughts since it looks like I’d be a character out of Misery holed up like that. Still, I think I might forward the article to my wife–her clients are driving her nuts and she might invite any opportunity to really, really not do anything for a while (though it would constitute a severe paycut).
I don’t know when it was originally broadcast because it was one of a bunch of podcasts on my iPod, but Ira Flatow on Talk of the Nation/Science Friday interviewed a woman who had done this very thing. (The show was about weird experiments, if you want to try to find the podcast.)
I believe she said she would think long and hard before she ever did it again.
ETA: They could wheel her around to different locations for a change of scenery, so to speak, and they could tip the bed to change her position so she didn’t develop circulatory problems.
Jesus, no. I wouldn’t do it for $100K. I mean, I’m fairly practiced at lazing around, but to lie in bed for three months straight? I think I’d only be able to last a few days before going absolutely batty.
Hey, I did this when I was pregnant, only I never ogt up. I’d do it!
Seriously, many of my patients do this for 3 or 4 months with complicated pregnancies. they are debilitated when they finally deliver, but bounce back quickly as they are generally young and healthy at the start.
