The adult industry is in trouble. We have all been affected by the global recession, new credit card rules, and the general lack of consumer confidence. Many of us look for someone to blame besides ourselves. After all, we WERE making money, and WE didn?t change anything, so it must be someone else?s fault, right? Tube sites and aggressive billing practices are obvious and easy targets, but I think we need to look again at ourselves.
In 1999, it felt like everyone and everything was new. Even though no one knew each other, and the best ways to earn money online were still undefined, we were all willing to meet and work together to figure it out. No one knew from where the next great idea was going to come. A handful of pioneers were leading the way, and the rest of us took notes when they spoke. The industry was young and hungry, and mostly HUMBLE.
But then the worst thing happened. We all started making lots of money. Along came lavish parties, and the ?Industry RockStars? were created. Immediately, the industry divided into two camps. The ?Haves? and the ?Wants?. The ?Haves? became less humble, and the ?Wants? were not welcome anymore. Parties and conventions became exclusive and invite-only. The ?Haves? power grew while the ?Wants? were left out. But the industry stopped growing because the people with new ideas were effectively shut out.
Along the way, the ?Haves? tried to work together, but clashing egos and poor business skills doomed many of their projects to failure. Eventually, petty bickering forced everyone apart, and the industry started sliding.
Now, the ?Haves? are finding with the poor economy, and lack of new ideas, their businesses are actually shrinking. But how can they go back? Many of the ?Wants? with innovative ideas are now resentful, and unwilling to share. And the RockStars of the past find it difficult to let go of their egos.
So I say the circle is broken, and the only way to fix it is for everyone to change. Let go of resentment and petty disagreements and start working together again. All of us. Most of all, we need to learn from our own history and avoid making the same mistakes.
I want to be the first to start. I want to apologize to everyone. Events in my life have reminded me where I came from. Some of you will laugh at me, or revel in my misfortune, but I?m going to learn from my mistakes and be humble again. I?m ready to let my ego go, stop acting like a RockStar, and return to taking notes when people speak. I'm ready to listen and learn, and party like it's 1999.
Steve Lightspeed
In 1999, it felt like everyone and everything was new. Even though no one knew each other, and the best ways to earn money online were still undefined, we were all willing to meet and work together to figure it out. No one knew from where the next great idea was going to come. A handful of pioneers were leading the way, and the rest of us took notes when they spoke. The industry was young and hungry, and mostly HUMBLE.
But then the worst thing happened. We all started making lots of money. Along came lavish parties, and the ?Industry RockStars? were created. Immediately, the industry divided into two camps. The ?Haves? and the ?Wants?. The ?Haves? became less humble, and the ?Wants? were not welcome anymore. Parties and conventions became exclusive and invite-only. The ?Haves? power grew while the ?Wants? were left out. But the industry stopped growing because the people with new ideas were effectively shut out.
Along the way, the ?Haves? tried to work together, but clashing egos and poor business skills doomed many of their projects to failure. Eventually, petty bickering forced everyone apart, and the industry started sliding.
Now, the ?Haves? are finding with the poor economy, and lack of new ideas, their businesses are actually shrinking. But how can they go back? Many of the ?Wants? with innovative ideas are now resentful, and unwilling to share. And the RockStars of the past find it difficult to let go of their egos.
So I say the circle is broken, and the only way to fix it is for everyone to change. Let go of resentment and petty disagreements and start working together again. All of us. Most of all, we need to learn from our own history and avoid making the same mistakes.
I want to be the first to start. I want to apologize to everyone. Events in my life have reminded me where I came from. Some of you will laugh at me, or revel in my misfortune, but I?m going to learn from my mistakes and be humble again. I?m ready to let my ego go, stop acting like a RockStar, and return to taking notes when people speak. I'm ready to listen and learn, and party like it's 1999.
Steve Lightspeed
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