So, one archetype of WG-centered worldbuilding that I don’t see much is one in which absurdly high weight is both normal and idealized, even if it’s only for one or a few demographics. And by “absurdly high weight,” I mean bigger than any human has ever gotten. This will usually entail immobility, though technology or even really strong muscles may circumvent this; I’m thinking of sizes that would immobilize us, if not members of some fictional species.
There’s one problem with this, however: how the fuck does such a character make bank? I mean, food doesn’t grow on trees (except when it does), so that fat has to have SOME kind of financial backing. And in a setting where it’s normal to get that big, not all super fat people can be dependents. So, with such impracticalities as restricted limb movement, overall mobility, and the amount of space one’s body takes up at that point, what jobs can immobile (or mobile, but stupidly huge) characters get that would fund their lifestyle? How do they contribute to the economy and society? Short of computer science, I can’t think of anything.
For the sake of the thread, let’s ignore the possibility of magic systems or super-advanced technology and think of something we might apply to a setting at least roughly similar to our own world. Let’s also assume getting fat is either unavoidable or incentivized in this setting somehow, at least for some, so a high weight is something people need/want and must contend with, but still need resources to maintain.
So what immediately comes to my mind, would be creative, intellectual or clerical work. The sorts of jobs where only the use of the hands, a surface to work on and the mind are required. I imagine that in a digital era world these jobs would be done on laptops or at desks (albeit with very sturdy, large chairs) or on the bed if they weren’t even able to move that far. Before global networks were available I would say anyone who wasn’t royalty or very well taken care of physically could not afford to get so fat, if they did it was a sign of incredible wealth and status. Being near immobile might be possible though, with the fatty in question laboriously waddling to their sedentary job as a pastor, clerk or office worker for example.
Supervisor/CEO
Any desk job (which at that point would be a home job)
Story writer/Author
Food critic (this doubles as a means of food and pay)
If the character has a good voice, make them a singer or voice actress
Videogame tester
Streamer
Youtuber
Podcaster
Announcer
Telemarketer (though this is dying)
Tech support
Therapist (would probably just be an over-the-phone therapy session!)
Long-distance teacher
well basically all work that is done at a computer or over the phone should work.
so programmers, all of game development, writers, tech support, phone salesman, text/video editor and scammer to name a few.
I don’t know for sure but I think (assuming they can get to the work place) that: therapist, trucker (with a modified truck), receptionist, some academic work/research, translator, voice actor, priest (sin of gluttony might be an issue), politician, one of those super specialized taste testers, mall Santa and lawyer could be done
How about being a stock broker, since you are just selling/buying stocks of companies and have a ton of free time due to your size.
For funny purposes, maybe stress testing elevators…?
as for non-joke ones, most sedentary jobs like a cubicle employee or graphic designer would work, everything you need is one meaty arm away from you at all times n all that.
@happytpr Actually has the right idea, an immobile feudal lord, emperor, capitalist, etc doesn’t have to do anything and they have an almost endless cashflow. They have servants do everything for them and are free to eat nearly endless amounts of food all day, which is required to be immobile in the first place.
I don’t even like immobility at all really, but this is just the easiest way to include it, or any large amount of weight gain, in a realistic/semi realistic setting.
You need to define ‘immobile’.
Are we talking completely incapable of even moving a finger, or just unable to walk around?
Assuming the latter, literally any desk job that only requires hands and/or a mouth to complete. Many can even be done from home for even greater convenience.
Some sort of artistic job, like a painter, writer, or sculptor. Or maybe a online business owner. Honestly, I think that the potential pool of jobs is pretty vast, seeing how many jobs are information based these days.
hmm if its the stages of the world Likeing sizes that big spokesperson could work. Food of course or clothing or furniture (like how long this bed lasted under that much weight kind of deal) or any of the immoble support tech options that develop
As many have already stated, author would probably be a solid choice. So long as a person can type, you can send your work in via the powers of magic to your editor, and you’d have the protection of pseudonym in the event you want to hide the fact that you weigh about 1200 pounds.
@anon82925365 And I have to question your comment that telemarketer is a dying profession, given I’ve had three of the buggers call my work phone this week alone, lol. That said, what kind of halfway decent person would want to be a telemarketer…
Stocks. When you own stock, you get paid when other people work, for as long as you own the stock and the company turns a profit. If you inherit enough stock and don’t outspend your dividends, you never have to work a day in your life to live high on the hog. Other people are working, you just get paid for it instead of them.
What if there was a simple machine the affords them some mobility? Even in a low-tech society, an “immobilized” person could sit on a wheeled cart and propel themselves by pushing their feet on the ground. I could provide pictures from various fat art as examples if you would like.
Yeah but then you run into the problem of building structure limiting their movements, not to mention the possibility of stairs lacking not only the size but also sufficient rail support to handle the excess weight.
At home can be excused as several writers (when pushing around that frame) has a part of the story installing rails, heavy duty benches, widened halls, and a variety of other upgrades to delay the oncoming “roombound” and then “bedbound”. However unless you’re talking about hospitals or special facilities that cater to such clientele, I doubt trying to go into work would be possible.