Ashley Mears, sociologist, discusses the social phenomena at nightclubs, including the motivations behind extravagant spending, the influence of gender dynamics, and the parallel between nightclub promotion and sex work. The podcast also explores the use of status and competition in nightclubs, the impact of labels and women's experiences, the racial diversity among clients and promoters, and the status competition in academia. COVID-19 and the prevalence of long COVID are briefly touched upon.

Former fashion model and sociologist Ashley Mears discusses her immersive ethnographic research on nightclubs, exploring topics such as extravagant spending on champagne, the allure of glamorous settings, power dynamics, and the limited power women have compared to men. They also touch on economically asymmetrical relationships and the types of drinks served at nightclubs. The chapter concludes with a discussion on socially distanced modeling casting and the irony of face masks.

Ashley Mears is a former fashion model turned academic sociologist, and her book Very Important People: Status and Beauty in the Global Party Circuit  is one of Tyler’s favorites of the year. The book, the result of eighteen months of field research, describes how young women exchange “bodily capital” for free drinks and access to glamorous events, boosting the status of the big-spending men they accompany. Ashley joined Tyler to discuss her book and experience as a model, including the economics of bottle service, which kinds of men seek the club experience (and which can’t get in), why Tyler is right to be suspicious of restaurants filled with beautiful women, why club music is so loud, the surprising reason party girls don’t want to be paid, what it’s like to be scouted, why fashion models don’t smile, the truths contained in Zoolander, how her own beauty and glamour have influenced her academic career, how Barbara Ehrenreich inspired her work, her unique tip for staying focused while writing, and more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video. Recorded May 8th, 2020 Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter  Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.