About this Episode
Sometimes science funding comes from universities and governments. And sometimes, apparently, it comes from OnlyFans and cryptocurrency.
A 60-year-old scientific project studying yellow-bellied marmots in Colorado was facing closure after major cuts to research funding. The project is one of the world’s longest-running wildlife studies, having followed generations of marmots since 1962. Its research has become increasingly important for understanding how climate change is affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
So the scientists got creative. In June, they launched an OnlyFans account called OnlyMarms, posting completely non-sexual photographs and videos of marmots running around the Rocky Mountains and disappearing into their burrows. The account raised around $6,000.
But then something much stranger happened. Online supporters created a marmot-themed cryptocurrency called $OnlyMarms, with transaction fees donated to the research project. In just two weeks, it generated more than $88,000. Combined with other donations, the campaign has now raised more than $100,000, enough to keep the research going for another year.
And the research matters. Scientists have observed marmots becoming heavier as summers get longer and winters shorter, while a recent lack of snow caused an unusually large die-off because the animals depend on snow cover to insulate their burrows during hibernation.
The story is funny, but there’s a serious point underneath it. Researchers shouldn’t have to rely on internet trends and meme coins to keep valuable scientific work alive. Still, it’s remarkable that a community of strangers saw a problem, embraced the world’s strangest fundraising campaign, and helped keep an important scientific project running.
Sometimes, the internet really can be used for good.
