Selling Points

Nobody is buying woke products:

Consumers' list of complaints, according to Neil, includes spyware, finicky stop/start cycling systems, craptaculent continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), cumbersome diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems, touch screens replacing convenient physical controls, complicated engines that require premium fuels, etc. Some people prefer CD players or manual transmissions, both of which probably qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Then there are states like California with increasingly draconian electric vehicle mandates coming into force. All this consumer doubt comes before Presidentish Joe Biden's remote kill-switch mandate comes into force in 2026. Once Americans realize that Washington holds the remote control to new cars, we'll start holding on to our old cars in the Cuban fashion — for as long as we can keep them running by whatever means are available. That brings us to "The Acolyte," the new Star Wars show on Disney+ that's debuted to mediocre reviews and tiny audiences. By most accounts, the show is boringly woke and atrociously written. The Critical Drinker's review of the first episode tells you everything you need to know. Writing more broadly about Hollywood's dismal summer box office, Ace of Spades warned that they "can't survive long on costly failure after costly failure":

ComicsGate had a good point about the word fans: Don't call them "fans." Call them what they are: Customers, or potential customers. "Fans" suggests that people love you so much they will show up for whatever crap you churn out. "Customers" suggests you have to woo them and provide them with good value for money.

Hollywood, in general (and Disney, in particular), has brought its woes to itself. For the auto industry, the features customers don't want were imposed from above by Washington. But the root cause is the same: somebody forgot who their customer is. For unwanted car regulations, it's Washington that's forgotten that we are their customers and not the other way around.

Let the sellers beware...