I received the latest issue of Bloomberg Businessweek this Saturday and I could not have been happier.
Such a great antidote for Valentine’s Day Blues.
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Cover of Bloomberg Businessweek, 14 February 2011.
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After reading the well-written article, “Cheating Incorporated”, still aghast and shaking from the get-go by the tagline “Life is short. Have an affair”, I went and checked out the front page of the website, and the front page only. I swear. There is NO wink wink this time.
I don’t know what to say. I feel like crying but not the self-pitying kind wont to happen on Valentine’s Day. No. I feel like crying because I am so tired. I feel besieged.
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"Affairs Guaranteed"
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Well, I guess now we know what many people would be doing the day AFTER Valentine’s Day…
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Now we know what people do the day AFTER...
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I am rather intrigued by this chart really, what would your hypothesis be for the reasons for the spikes?
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It’s not all that surprising, is it? People disappointed by what their partner did (or did not) do for whichever occasion it is are more willing to start looking for some greener grass… . I’m more surprised by the reactions here, to be honest – if people wanna cheat, they’ll cheat, this website does not change that. It may make it easier for it to actually happen, but it is in no way responsible for it. It’s a well though of business plan, you have to give him that, I honestly find it hilarious. (and don’t give me the “wait until you are cheated on” crap. been there, done that, moved on. it’s not always as complicated as it looks)
Lies recently posted…T – the manual
I agree that from the business angle, it is ingenuous. He indeed did not break any law capitalizing on this.
Ugh.
It’s horrible that site exists. Gross.
The day after New Years seems a bit surprising to me as it indicates that the resolution is actually TO cheat rather than to avoid it.
And my parents wonder why I have avoided the topic of marriage this long…
wanderingmenace recently posted…Sweat- testicles- and my inability to move gracefully
I like that you can join for free cause anything after that is gonna cost you.
linlah recently posted…over the threshold
Having been the wife and the last one to know, this just sickens me, but as someone said, each to their own I guess.
(New follower to your blog saw you on Rabbit’s page… I stalk him, now I stalk you)
This just makes me sad all around. I am sure there are “open” relationships that work……but I have never seen one. All the ones I have seen ended up in shambles. …and as a past true-cheater, it usually ends in sheer misery. So, again, just sad.
Wildology recently posted…Tiny Steps to getting “Done”
When a friend told me of this service last week I was dumbfounded that it was actually real. I told him that I must really be naïve. He told me that I had a happy marriage and therefore no need of the service so why should I even be aware of the existence.
I wonder if the spikes after Mother’s Day and Father’s Day has anything to do with A) a mid-life crisis or B) a feeling of being under appreciated?
Erica@PinesLakeRedhead recently posted…Molly Update
Ashley Madison advertises on the Howard Stern show. They used to make him do the spots himself. At the end he always commented on how stupid the service was. Now they do their own ads. You know something is sick when even the #1 shock jock himself is revolted by it!
Nikki Rules recently posted…Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs again
There is still hope for humanity somewhere… Right?
Vinny C recently posted…Unusual Outcomes
Leave it to someone to cash in on the stupid, the restless and the immature.
Diane Laney Fitzpatrick recently posted…My Congressional Morals Seminar
The owner is right. People who use his business will find a reason to find someone with or without him.
I also read something about this company a short while ago. They must be upping their PR. Word of mouth just not bringing in the business, I guess, haha. Anyway…what are you going to do, AOA. Society has always been like this. War and adultery will probably never go away. Oh I’m a jaded Chicken tonight. My guess about the chart is people either spend a holiday being “good” and feel like rewarding themselves, have a day off and take time to surf the internet, or are disappointed in their holiday and say screw it, I’m having an affair. I don’t say that. I say, Screw it, where is my warm coat. But I’m a little odd.
Good grief! When we were married, my husband and I talked about this. Whether it was an affair or a one-night-stand, we agreed that it would change our relationship forever. We agreed it wasn’t worth it.
Fidelity is a security blanket and confidence builder. I think marriage partners deserve that.
Mary Lee recently posted…When Stomping Means I Love You
It’s the deception that gets me, too. It’s not any worse than, say strip clubs or prostitutes, but it is also not any better.
secret agent woman recently posted…Hallmark- go home
Shame on mass media for giving AM more press. She’s been around a while, and a lot. I’m shocked her business survived and appears to be thriving.
But as to your question: I speculate the after-holiday bump in subscriptions is because the subscriber felt somehow slighted or unappreciated by their significant other on that holiday. Rather than discuss their unmet expectations with their spouse or a therapist, they go for the cheap and easy way out. Not that I have an opinion about it or anything 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you felt loved and appreciated!
Kernut the Blond recently posted…Adventures In Online Dating Part One
How did I not know about this worthy money-making effort? Oh, yeah–I live in Haiti.
But, good God, how disgusting–there’s something extra special slimy about helping people cheat and making bug bucks in the process.
I am speechless…my mother always taught me that if I didn’t have anything nice to say, not to say anything at all…
Hugs,
Wendy
writerwoman61 recently posted…Talking to Strangers for Fun and Profit…
Well clearly, Mother’s Day is WAY more important than anyone could have realized. And people are mucking it up horribly. Strange, STRANGE spike!
SisterMerryHellish recently posted…Chinese Red String Theory
Wicked Shawn said it well. There is a difference. One is a lifestyle choice. The other is deceit. Althought I’ve been aware of the lifestyle for many years, it was only very recently at lunch with a client/friend that she mentioned the Ashley Madison site. Like everything else, swinging and cheating have both become big business. Sort of takes the romance away from composting veiled ads in the newspaper and maintaining an anonymous postal box.
Renee Fisher recently posted…We have stuff Like earrings with a lot of breasts
Um? WOW! I’ve heard of the website, but this is incredible! The spike? Hmmmm. Got me on that one! This is stunning!
sheila recently posted…Zen Meal – Honey Chicken
First off, let us stop for a moment and divide this coversation into two segments, so as not to confuse two different segments of the population. There are couples who have open relationships, those people, for reasons of their own and of which are none of our business, have made conscious decisions to share their spouse/significant other/whatever with others. They have chosen for themselves and will deal with the fallout, if any, on their own.
Cheating, on the other hand, is more about the sneaking around, acting out of anger or dissonance.
I like my relationships to be 2 way……unless they involve women and glitter, of course.
Wicked Shawn recently posted…Analyze This……which is probably copyrighted or trademarked or whatev…
Yee-ikes. I have read about Ashley Madison before. They are apparently a very big and very successful business, built on helping people cheat on their spouses.
Either them or another company like them wanted to buy ad time during the Super Bowl, and were turned down. Which I am okay with. How would you explain that to your kids? Hey, that would make Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction seem like an easy family conversation!
Believe it or not, the whole “Adultery marketplace” situ sickens me as well.
I am a lot of things (um…never mind), but a liar and/or a cheat I am not. I find it unnecessary, cowardly and utterly beneath me (and anyone I would actually chose to associate with).
In fact, I may have to post on this shortly as it’s becoming something of an epidemic.
Hisss…
It is intriguing, though, that the female registrations after Valentine’s Day rose significantly higher than the male ones.
What have we told them about cheap supermarket flowers and heart shaped chocolates?
Live and learn.
– B x
The Barreness recently posted…My best friend- the cnt
*Tag* You’re it!
Heh, heh, heh
my cyber house rules
I always thought this was the kind of business that resided within the confines of Nevada. You know, like the Bunny Ranch. I guess it fills a niche I never considered!
Meg at the Members Lounge recently posted…An Awkward Valentine’s Day
This makes me sick. Can always count on you to open my eyes and make my blood boil (not at you that is)…
Happy V-day my friend.
Justine recently posted…Made with love
Thank you for the beautiful card you left me on my blog… I laughed so hard I snorted!! Also, there is nothing like a case of the clap to say I love you…lol!!
Holly B recently posted…If Youre Husband Gave You An Enema- Would You Let Him Know Your Weight
very interesting article. i actually think it’s a very valid and not unethical enterprise. there are a lot of truly skanky businesses out there when it comes to the sex and i think this one is trying to fill a niche in people’s needs. if having an affair helps people stay married, raise their children, maintain their homes, makes their jobs more bearable, and makes them feel more alive, then good for those people.
i’m with the founder, companies not taking his ads is bullshit! there’s so much porn or practically porn out there, this company tries to keep things discrete and maintain some class.
pattypunker recently posted…voices in my head
Like everything else, I say to each his or her own. This lifestyle is not for me and I don’t have an opinion of the people who have affairs and are okay with it. I am just glad that I know what I accept in my own life. Even if I were the last person left on earth to believe in monogamy and commitment I would not change how I believe. Being honest with myself is more important that being honest with anyone else. If you celebrate Valentines Day, I hope you have a wonderful day.
TechnoBabe recently posted…The V Day Hot Love
Ah yes. The adultery marketplace. We are an enterprising culture, aren’t we? (At least the French are more discreet about this sort of thing. . .)
Happy V Day.
BigLittleWolf recently posted…Unknown
This makes my skin crawl.
Elizabeth recently posted…Still Life with Pig and Ring
Nothing like giving your loved one VD on V Day.
Elly Lou recently posted…I Would Uke Everything I Own for a zombie sock puppet