I guess what I am suggesting mainly is the of the industry itself.
First domain valuations, sales, then parking as a whole, then some registrars and drop/auction houses getting traded around like used cars. Makes you wonder what is the next lego to drop. While some areas in the industry seem to be improving, it obviously isnt improving fast enough to prevent other areas from being damaged. And after reading Ron Jackson's State ofthe industry J2012, it would seem the future is rather sweet-n-rosy. But, (I know it has been only one month so far, but prior years first months' records considered) at DNJournal 2012 sales YTD only show 5 sales over 50k$, with the top two not crossing the 150k$ mark. Comparitively to past years, a very dismal start of the sales year (that were published of course). Interstingly I get the sense that everyone is waiting for ICAAN to start approving those new .anything extensions, with the hope of the failure of that, in order to boost the value of the .com's they are holding.
I just really dont see that happening, whether the new tld's fail or not. I am not complaining really but I dont see much room for growth in this industry currently standing, consolidation pulling in the assets of, as you suggested, poorly run companies, is not a positive for the industry as a whole and benefits few. I feel there are some really innovative persons out there trying to find new ways to service the industry with truly unique ideas and products that may help to turn this industry around. But when a company tries to be a one-stop-for-everything shop, it doesnt often work well for the customer. Especially without the benefit of sufficient competition.