Excalibur Films has offered DVDs at a 65% discount for two consecutive weeks, a move described by an industry insider as unprecedented for the company and indicative of broader sales challenges within the adult entertainment sector.

Industry Sales Trends

An industry insider, identified as "XXX Insider," reported that Excalibur Films has implemented a 65% discount on its DVD offerings for two consecutive weeks. This level of discount is described as something the company had not been observed doing before, suggesting a significant shift in sales strategy or market conditions. The insider characterized these sales as "sucking," pointing to a potential downturn in industry sales.

The term "malaise" has been used in other contexts to describe periods of generalized unease or poor product performance. For instance, the "malaise era" in the U.S. automotive industry, spanning from the early 1970s to the early to mid-1980s, was characterized by poor products and industry unease. This period followed decades where the U.S. automotive industry was largely unregulated and prioritized horsepower, size, and styling. The era arose after the Clean Air Act of 1963 began to address national car-generated air quality concerns, and Ralph Nader's 1965 book, Unsafe at Any Speed, drew attention to automotive safety issues.

During the automotive malaise era, the U.S. federal government introduced increasingly strict emissions, fuel efficiency, and safety standards. These mandates challenged the industry's ability to adapt, requiring substantial spending diversion and leading to a notable decline in vehicle performance, product downsizing, and unresolved styling adaptations. The period also coincided with the industry's reliance on inexpensive foreign oil and spiking international fuel prices, culminating in the 1973 oil crisis. The average fuel consumption for passenger cars from 1969-1974 was 13.5 mpg-US (17.4 L/100 km).

Historical Context of "Malaise"

The automotive industry's "malaise era" saw manufacturers respond to increased emissions enforcement by reducing engine power output, with additional strains from smog pumps and catalytic converters further diminishing power. The price of oil spiked during this time, leading to a long-term trend of pushing customers toward more efficient vehicles. Domestic manufacturers were particularly affected due to their lack of experience building such vehicles. Quality and longevity of cars produced by companies like GM, Ford, and Chrysler declined significantly during this period.

More recently, the term "AI malaise" has been used to describe a contemporary period of uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence. This "AI malaise" is compared to the early days of the "novel coronavirus" in mid-March 2020, when there was widespread uncertainty about the pandemic's impact. During that time, Broadway and the NBA had shut down, and public figures like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson tested positive for the virus. There was a sense that the world was about to change, but the extent and nature of that change were unknown, and tools to effectively measure the situation were lacking.

The current "AI malaise" reflects a similar discomfort and uncertainty. AI technology is described as present, widespread, and not going away, but its societal effects, whether positive or negative, remain unclear. There is a lack of consensus on how to measure its impact, what the plan is, and who to trust regarding future outcomes. CEOs of major AI companies have cautioned that the technology could eliminate jobs or, if it fails to meet hype, potentially crash the economy. Investors are generally averse to uncertainty, and the current situation with AI is characterized by significant uncertainty regarding its future implications.

Key Facts

  • Excalibur Films has offered a 65% discount on DVDs for two consecutive weeks.
  • An industry insider described this discount level as unprecedented for Excalibur Films.
  • The insider characterized current industry sales as "sucking."
  • The term "malaise" has been used to describe periods of industry unease and poor product performance in other sectors, such as the U.S. automotive industry from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s.
  • A contemporary "AI malaise" is characterized by uncertainty regarding the impact and future of artificial intelligence.