Launched 27th Oct 2010, howmanypaid.co.uk is a bizarre self-perpetuating social experiment giving an insight into the human desire to know about things that do not concern them; AKA "nosiness".

On the surface this may appear to be an over-simplified and pointless website (asides from the charitable contribution), but consider it a little more deeply and you're already half-way there to becoming a part of this unique social experiment.

Curiosity is a raw, powerful motive and one which is evidently hard to shake (we couldn't resist finding out!). For sure, the only benefit you're getting from your purchase is a measly automated return email informing you how many paid to find out - but argh, how many paid before me?! If the itch needs scratching - then scratch...

Experimental designer of www.howmanypaid.co.uk Steve Dodds says, "We will be closely monitoring them site traffic behaviour. We've kept it deliberately simple to ensure that the essence of the experiment is immediately understood. This means that the majority of time spent on the site is spent building up curiosity". He continued, "We hope to understand the trends of impulse decision making and self-control". 

The project devised by the Sheffield Hallam University student will run for 365 days. A proportion of all net proceeds are being donated to the local Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity.

Dare you tempt yourself? www.howmanypaid.co.uk