Dan (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} blackfrost) wrote,@ 2008-11-18 16:02:00 |
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My take on Ashley Madison
After giving it some thought, I've come to some conclusions about the marital affair "dating" service known as Ashley Madison.
The very idea of the site isn't as bad as I initially thought. Granted, encouraging lies and deciet and in some cases like MA, illegal activity, is abhorrent. However, in terms of a business venture, I can't see how what they're doing is any different than what some other companies profit from. Pharmaceutical companies profit from sickness and suffering. Defense contractors profit from wars. Evangelists profit from faith and religion. How does Ashley Madison fit into the grand scheme of shady business models? There are too many variables, but I can't put them even close to the top.
The site advertises exploring extramarital affairs if you are living a life "of quiet despair". If that is even remotely true, then people should consider moving on to someone else. It's my opionion that personal happiness is more important than simply upholding the sanctity of a marraige. If you're miserable, I think its within your rights to call it quits.
Where A.M. bothers me, is in its wording. They seem to make you want to believe that an affair is something that is "not to be missed", and life's too short to not have one. The problem there, is that it can persuade and attract those who are currently in happy relationships to explore this idea. It takes a certain type of person, but advestising is a powerful tool. If you get it in someone's head that affairs are a social norm, then a surprisingly high amount of people would probably contemplate acting on this newly discovered void in their life.
"I didn't know I should be doing this! I hope I'm not missing out on something cool!"
That's the dangerous type of mindset that I think A.M. may be unintentionally (or intentionally) fostering.
Manipulating people into thinking that Pepsi is a better drink than Coke through advertising doesn't involve personal character dilemmas, life-changing consequences, lawyers, or anything like that. If A.M. seeked to help people realize they're not trapped in a loveless marriage, and helps them take the first step into rectifying that...I think I wouldn't have a problem with it. But as it stands, it glorifies and encourages people to test their own moral standards in a deceitful and malicious way.
I simply cannot accept that.
After giving it some thought, I've come to some conclusions about the marital affair "dating" service known as Ashley Madison.
The very idea of the site isn't as bad as I initially thought. Granted, encouraging lies and deciet and in some cases like MA, illegal activity, is abhorrent. However, in terms of a business venture, I can't see how what they're doing is any different than what some other companies profit from. Pharmaceutical companies profit from sickness and suffering. Defense contractors profit from wars. Evangelists profit from faith and religion. How does Ashley Madison fit into the grand scheme of shady business models? There are too many variables, but I can't put them even close to the top.
The site advertises exploring extramarital affairs if you are living a life "of quiet despair". If that is even remotely true, then people should consider moving on to someone else. It's my opionion that personal happiness is more important than simply upholding the sanctity of a marraige. If you're miserable, I think its within your rights to call it quits.
Where A.M. bothers me, is in its wording. They seem to make you want to believe that an affair is something that is "not to be missed", and life's too short to not have one. The problem there, is that it can persuade and attract those who are currently in happy relationships to explore this idea. It takes a certain type of person, but advestising is a powerful tool. If you get it in someone's head that affairs are a social norm, then a surprisingly high amount of people would probably contemplate acting on this newly discovered void in their life.
"I didn't know I should be doing this! I hope I'm not missing out on something cool!"
That's the dangerous type of mindset that I think A.M. may be unintentionally (or intentionally) fostering.
Manipulating people into thinking that Pepsi is a better drink than Coke through advertising doesn't involve personal character dilemmas, life-changing consequences, lawyers, or anything like that. If A.M. seeked to help people realize they're not trapped in a loveless marriage, and helps them take the first step into rectifying that...I think I wouldn't have a problem with it. But as it stands, it glorifies and encourages people to test their own moral standards in a deceitful and malicious way.
I simply cannot accept that.
