I hadn't until earlier today, but after reading a rather strange but solidly point-making article, I can see that what they are talking about is likely very true and a wonderful and silly method of determining how well an economy is actually doing.
The government likes to use charts and graphs that are easily manipulated by selecting a certain data set, but there really isn't any way to manipulate how many people are attending strip clubs and brothels now, is there?
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Normally I "report" on bad reporting and how the media and especially the Main Stream Media (MSM) are just so full of S**T and nothing that they say is meant to actually inform you of anything. Today though, I have to actually give props to one of the worst offenders of fakenews, Buzzfeed, for their wonderful article that I think the common person can relate to a lot more than an interview with Warren Buffet.
the information that Buzzfeed (and others) present about the "Stripper Index" are meant as being a fun puff piece, but honestly, it is some of the most honest information I have ever seen from that organization, and is far more relatable than the normal statistics.
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What they've done here is put other quantifiable and objective economic measurements up against the reporting of tips of strippers and other sex workers and compared them to what happened shortly thereafter in terms of the US economy. Every single time that the strippers in question have reported a rapid decline in tips at their respective establishments, something nasty happened for some period of time as far as the overall economy is concerned shortly thereafter. This very strange predictor of the economy has never been wrong. Now, just like bell-weather counties in national elections, this could be pure coincidence, but it is also a rather funny and interesting one.
The interview with one stripper whose stage name is "Vulgar Vanity" lol, is a surprisingly poignant series of statements on her part that are devoid of any political objective or sentiment, but rather a series of statements of facts. Wow guys, we have reached the point where strippers are more honest than any of our politicians or talking heads on TV. What a time to be alive.
"Vulgar" has stated that in the past she has been able to make a very good living by simply traveling around to certain clubs in cities that have certain big events going on and make a ton of cash in just a few nights.
She reported that this year, she left South by Southwest because on her first night on a Friday, she walked into a completely empty club and didn't make anything.
The "Brothel Index" is another one where one brothel owner indicates that the influx of customers happens yearly like clockwork aside from certain years that just so happen to be years where some sort of downturn in the economy happened after 1st quarter reportings. The owner of the brothel was unaware of the downturns but simply thought they were losing ground to competitors but as it turns out, all of the brothels were experiencing dips in customers.
This particular brothel owner reported that her staff kept telling her that customers, regular customers especially, stopped coming by and when they did, the opted for the cheapest options available (what are those options?)
These "predictable times" of year are always around this time of year and according to brothel owner, "DeNoire" this time period is because people have given up on their New Year Resolutions at this point and have recovered from the massive expenses of the holidays. That is another issue in itself but it does make sense.
The thing about DeNoire's information is that when put next to an actual chart of what actually did happen with the USA's or global economy shortly after less-than-expected sex-work earning, there was ALWAYS a downturn in the overall economy! haha
Now this is a level of reporting I can get behind. Don't read into that statement too much :)
If you want to read the article I am referring to go right ahead. It is far more entertaining that normal financial news and is likely filled with a great deal more honesty than anything you are going to get from CNN, Fox, MSNBC or god forbid, Conservative Brief.
It does make sense though. If there ever was an unnecessary expenditure, it would be giving cash to a near naked person in front of you that you are hopefully very aware doesn't give a damn about you.
While I commend their efforts, I think that the reason why BuzzFeed is reporting on this now is simply because they actually want an economic downturn so they can point the finger at Trump and other ruling conservatives.
Will it come to fruition? Well according to the professionals in the darker fields of work, yes, it is going to happen.
