America might be in the midst of an economic death spiral or whatever, but there still ridiculously cushy jobs available for people marketers want to reach (young/not poor). Both involve drinking, for money.

One involves consuming alcohol with friends in the comfort of your own home. The other involves consuming alcohol in housing rented for you in California wine country.

The first one, touted in this Craigslist ad, is more of a "gig" than a real job, but Jesus, you don't even have to leave the house, just answer some questions about drinking, oh and also your age, ethnic background and income:

The study will take place at your home in the evening (mid-May is the current timeframe). It will be you, three of your closest friends (who you often drink with) and the researchers. We will give you $100 to purchase alcoholic beverages and food for the event.

In addition to that, you will be paid $250 for hosting the event and each of your friends will be paid $100 for attending. The event will last approximately two hours.

Then there's this flying unicorn of jobs: $10,000 a month for six months to live rent-free in Sonoma, California while learning about all the winemaking that goes on in the area (and presumably at the sponsoring winery, Murphy Goode). Oh, and Twittering and Facebooking the whole thing, as if you wouldn't be doing that anyway to rub your friends' faces in it.

Both of these employers are obviously banking on turning their applicant lists into giant marketing/spam resources. The Craigslist people warn they will call you and your friends as part of their screening process, while the winery suggests you sign up for their marketing list to find out more about the job.

Marketing scam or not, it's refreshing how the American consumer is still desirable (and gullible) enough that corporations will light large quantities of cash on fire in order to get his attention. There might be an inspiring comeback for vapid consumerism yet!

(Pic by Paulo Brabo)