Are you at all familiar with the Ashley Madison website?  You know, the website that caters to married individuals looking to…uh…spice up their sex life by allowing them to find willing affair partners?

Well, a little while back a hacker group claimed they had broken into the website and taken their database of some 37 million users.  Was the breach real?  Looks like it might have been as the hackers have released the data to the “dark web”:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/experts-ashley-madison-hack-data-is-real_55d40edbe4b0ab468d9ef792

What does this mean?  Clearly anyone who used the website is now exposed, along with their personal and credit card information.  Given the nature of the website, those who are exposed may be in for a world of hurt when their spouses/significant others get wind of their lurking (at the very least) on that particular website.  And if some of the clients of that website wind up being higher ups in government or industry…?

Ouch.

As a society it seems we’re captivated and repulsed by sexuality.  We can’t get enough of it but it’s filthy to even consider it.  As parents we shield our daughters -how many times have you heard the old “my daughter won’t date until she’s in her 30’s” joke?- yet paradoxically encourage our sons to “play the field” (who exactly will they play the field with?).

We have no big problem with violent action on the television or movie screen but when presented with sexual matters, we’re quick to slap labels on it and, in some cases, hear from others how grotesque such displays of affection (!) are.

I don’t mean to get into a rant so I’ll get to my point: Ashley Madison is a perfect example of society’s sexual mores.  Politicians and “well respected” people rant and rail about our sexualized society yet when the opportunity is presented to covertly engage in your sexual fantasies, people (to the tune of at least 37 million) take advantage of such a service and now they may well stand exposed.

Am I applauding this big reveal?  Absolutely not.  And neither do I want to come off as Mr. Know-It-All…

I suppose the only thing I wish is that we as a society would grow up and honestly face our desires and urges instead of railing against them while engaging in them when we think no one is looking.