opinion

Sitting Out the Recession in Jail

Dear Max Hardcore,

I just wanted to send a few thoughts your way as you begin a 46-month stint in federal prison for an obscenity conviction that should never have happened in the first place. First, I want to say I hope the sentence served is substantially shorter, if not reversed altogether.

I have interviewed you several times over the years, but we have never been close and I do not know you well. I may not be a great fan of your work, to say the least, but neither do I think that is relevant to anything. I don't want to speak about obscenity laws because I think we both agree that they are fatally arbitrary and, well, seriously fucked up. But I do want to talk briefly about the manner in which you have faced this whole ordeal.

Brother, you have taken it like a man.

I haven't seen or heard one self-pitying peep out of you since you were indicted, even at parties over the past few years, in one on one conversations, when you could easily have bemoaned your fate and the unfairness of it all, and declared yourself a martyr to the cause.

Instead, you talked about how you weren't giving up the fight and how the world hadn't seen the last of Max, and how you really do believe in the System and the freedoms we enjoy and so often take for granted. That as the Man was working overtime to take away yours.

It was impressive, but I have been impressed before, particularly when you were one of the very first of the "video" crowd to attend Internext shows, years ago, when 98% of the producers still thought the Internet was for chumps.

You were always there, way ahead of most of the others, visible, asking questions, making deals, and palpably eager to learn everything you could.

I was there when an online guy tried to coax you into a fight at the pool in Hollywood, Florida, because, as I recall, he was offended by the content you made and felt he needed to make a statement. You didn't bite or back down, as I recall, and the confrontation petered out.

And I have seen you pilloried on adult chat boards by a lot of people in the industry, with comments along the lines of, "You had it coming," or, "That's the way it goes," or, "You play with fire, you get burned." You know, the sort of comments one would expect from people who share similar risks. (Excuse me while I puke.)

I also have heard the quieter asides, "I don't give a shit," or, "He got what he deserved," or the slightly more generalized, "Fuck him." There have been a number of those lately, but then that sort of attention is nothing new to you, is it? As the king lightening rod in an industry renowned for its headline grabbing, boundary-pushing egoists, your skin got thick a long time ago, didn't it?

So I just want to say that all this has been noted. You have thus far acquitted yourself quite honorably. I also want you to know that you will not recede into oblivion. If I am allowed and able, I promise to visit you in jail, to see how you are doing and to continue covering your story. I'm sure I will not be the only one.

On a last note, not that it was your choice, but you probably picked the best possible time to take to the sidelines. This is going to be one brutal recession. I know, it's not much of a consolation, but it's something.

Take it easy, Max. See you soon,

Tom

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

The Art of Faceless Brand Building

When I first began working as a content creator on streaming platforms, I made a conscious choice to take an unconventional path. I decided I would always keep part of my face off-camera: I don’t show my eyes. Instead, I rely on a smile, a gesture and the overall atmosphere.

Pussylovekate ·
opinion

Rebranding Sexual Wellness Through a Self-Care Approach

As most of us in the industry already know, sexual wellness remains the black sheep of self-care. Discussions about wellness glorify meditation apps, skincare routines and workout regimens — but mention masturbation or using a sex toy, and most people shy away from the topic.

Hail Groo ·
profile

WIA Profile: Leah Koons

If you’ve been to an industry event lately, odds are you’ve heard Leah Koons even before you’ve seen her. As Fansly’s director of marketing, Koons helps steer one of the fastest-growing creator platforms on the web.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Why Sex Toy Innovation Isn't What Shoppers Want Right Now

During my first year in the industry, the luxury vibrator on shelves was LELO’s Gigi, priced at $109. It was made with high-quality silicone, boasted an ergonomic design, a travel lock and a warranty. Soon after, Je Joue released its first product, SaSi, which employed “rolling ball” movements to simulate oral sex.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business has not quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
Show More