Ashley Madison

About this episode

The episode explores the phenomenon of Ashley Madison and the societal implications of cheating and infidelity.

Shakespeare, Picasso, Tom Sandoval… what do these luminaries have in common? Well, reader. They were cheaters. Adultery has been a flash point on the internet for some time now - from Ned Fulmer, to Couch Guy, to that couple at the Coldplay concert, people seem to hold particular venom for those who get caught cheating. So it’s hard to believe that only a couple decades ago, there was a dating site dedicated to the act of cheating. In this finale episode, Hannah and Maia revisit the phenomenon that was Ashley Madison, a service developed in Toronto where those looking for infidelity could find a parent in crime with the click of a button. But after a massive data breach, broken marriages, and even deaths - Ashley Madison fell quickly from “grace.” In the years since Ashley Madison’s users were doxxed and shamed, even since Hester Prynne was brandished with a scarlet “A,” one has to wonder why this age-old act has not received more nuance as society has progressed. What is cheating, what even is romantic love, and have we given both of these things a little too much power? Tangents include: Toronto girl summer, Drake as the groundhog from Groundhog Day, sage advice from the oracle…

People in this episode

Hosts: Hannah, Maia

Topics covered

• cheating
• infidelity
• romantic love
• societal norms
• Ashley Madison
• cultural commentary

Keywords

• Ashley Madison
• cheating
• infidelity
• romantic love
• society
• cultural commentary
• Esther Perel
• Toronto
• data breach

Sponsors

Quince

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ashley Madison

Books & works: Shakespeare, Picasso

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