I just caught up on the recent controversy involving my friends Humble and Fred. I have a few thoughts on the subject.
Humble and Fred have been podcasting daily for almost three years now. They sign up sponsors who pay actual money. At some point, I have to figure out how to do this for Toronto Mike'd, but I digress...
Their newest sponsor is Ashley Madison. Ashley Madison's slogan is "Life is short, have an affair". The boys did what they do when a legal company offers them cash and espoused the virtues of this service. In other words, they celebrated a company that enables and encourages affairs.
This has rubbed many the wrong way. Humble and Fred present themselves as folksy everymen and hearing them push Ashley Madison's services initially seems a little off-brand. Nobody wants to hear Fred telling listeners you can discreetly cheat on your wife in less than 48 hours.
I get it, but I also know Humble and Fred personally and talk to them often. I don't think there's a legal business on the planet they'd turn down. I don't think Humble and Fred make good morality role models nor do I think they should assume such a role.
These are guys who celebrate the fact they'll take donations for a food bank and bring home all the good stuff. When Fred's not returning used items to Costco, Humble's talking about his visit to an adult spa or driving while high. These guys put it all out there, as raw as ever, and that's what makes their show work.
But they're not role models, and if you look up to them as such, that's on you, not them. And if you don't like hearing them espouse the virtues of Ashley Madison, you don't have to listen. But if this is the straw that broke the camel's back, I'd question how closely you've been listening these past few years...
Use Ashley Madison's services if you wish, but don't do it because Humble and Fred told you to. Because life is short, and Humble and Fred are not your role models.
