Thanks so much for your Editor’s Perspective on actor Matt Damon’s appearance in a video calling for government energy solutions (OGJ, Aug. 13, 2007, p. 80). My family and I are all huge Jason Bourne fans (before he was so cool and so stunningly cast in Damon; we read all the books). I share the sad disillusionment you describe in Damon’s behavior and his apparently shallow understanding of the petroleum and synfuels industries (as well as how Congress really works).
As you and OGJ readers know, Damon’s behavior only serves to illustrate the pervasive and profound ignorance of the average American in both areas, as well as basic economics. Obviously, major improvements in American fuel efficiency need to be made; however, the market will drive this if the American people begin to grow up: How many of us really need a big truck, a Hummer, a great-room-sized SUV, or a 6,000 sq ft home? Personal responsibility and intelligent consumption, not just legislative mandates, must also play their role.
The simplistic “solutions” Damon (and Ben Affleck, who does not impress me) dramatized, and failing to acknowledge the shortcomings of a “corn solution” taken too far, are enough to make even a die-hard Damon fan question his intelligence (Damon’s, not the fan’s). The fan in me wants to believe he’s smarter than that. A full suite of energy, technology, education, and market solutions is the path to a cleaner, more stable American energy future.
So: Still love the movies, still think he’s a brilliant actor, but he needs to become better informed if he is going to dabble in such public activism. Offer to take him to lunch and give him a short course, why don’t you?
Vicki Stamp
Petroleum Engineer
Casper, Wyo.
