opinion

Highway to Hell

I want to apologize to those few of you who thought I was serious last month when I wrote in my column that in return for supporting .XXX, I got to ride in ICM Registry CEO Stuart Lawley's private jet, and that I had also taken money from FBI Agent Chuck Joyner in return for information about people in the biz.

It wasn't true. I did neither of those things. I wanted to, of course, but both those fine gentlemen turned me down. They said my support and/or information weren't worth a damn, and that they had plenty of other web rats working for them with better info than I could ever provide. To say I was crestfallen is an understatement; I was devastated. So I drowned my disappointment in bad satire meant to mask a wounded ego, for which I am truly sorry, as sorry as Imus in the morning. OK, the last paragraph is bullshit also. I am not remotely as sorry as Imus in the morning, but it is true that people approached me at the Phoenix Forum to ask about the column; a few were owners of pretty big companies, not your usual yahoos. One of them almost accosted me.

"What's this about you selling out the industry," he said, spattering cherry-flavored booze across my face. "Were you fucking serious, dude?" I started laughing, but then I thought he might hit me.

"Are you kidding," I said, but he just sort of stared at me with a stony stare that web porners are famous for. "Look, man, it was satire. You don't label satire as satire," I said. His brow furrowed. Competing realities were obviously clashing in his head. "No, I did not take any money from the FBI and I did not ride in Stuart Lawley's jet."

"Oh. OK, man, because when I read that I freaked. Are you sure?"

Yes, I am sure. But you know what? I truly am not that sure about anything anymore. That people who have known me for years would think I would take money in exchange for anything has me freaked, so freaked that I really don't care about caring anymore.

People have taken leave of their senses, and no one seems to be concerned. Unsupported accusations are regularly perpetrated on the boards, and before you know it a mob mentality takes over and people are publicly called out to defend themselves against often-insane accusations as everyone watches on the sidelines in awe, glee or disgust.

Sometimes it even spills over into real life, with paranoid performers actually putting their hands on others with hostile intent, for no reason at all. In that alternate reality, people come to the performer's defense, or avert their eyes or lambaste the victim. Crazy justifications are made in the name of profit.

The result is that there is little, if any, incentive to even attempt to engage in rational discourse, especially on the boards, which are just free-for-all zones where assholes who scream the loudest are accorded hero status for screaming the loudest. Adding injury to insult, the real enemies observe the entire debacle and, in Lawley's case, actually attempt to use the inane ramblings to their own advantage.

Well, I guess it really is just business as usual. People talk about how the industry is maturing, but in my opinion nothing could be further from the truth. We are a feeding frenzy of fools, a profitable orgy of selfishness; a gluttonous gang of Imuses who think we are all Keith Ferrazzis.

So really I have nothing to lose. I'm feeling liberated. I wish .XXX were still alive.

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

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

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

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 ·
profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Reinventing Intimacy: A Look at AI's Implications for Adult Platforms

The adult industry has long revolved around delivering pleasure and entertainment, but now it’s moving into new territory: intimacy, connection and emotional fulfillment. And AI companions are at the forefront of that shift.

Daniel Keating ·
Show More