Do you know who Steve Bing is? He inherited $600 million from his dad when he was 18. He produced some famous movies, most recently The Polar Express. He also knocked up Elizabeth Hurley. He really doesn’t need to do anything else for the rest of his life. Ferchrissake Steve, give the rest of us some time to catch up.
Now he’s the leading donor behind Proposition 87 in California. He’s donating tens of millions of his own money to get it passed. Proponents of the proposition say it will reduce oil use, increase energy efficiency, and develop renewable energy. The funding will come from gouging oil companies that have gouged Californians.
Opponents such as Chevron say it will be a huge new tax (on them) and create a government bureaucracy that does nothing to help anyone.
My interpretation is that the proponents are essentially saying it “might work” and the opponents are saying “probably not.” They’re both right.
I’m fascinated by Steve Bing. I wonder what kind of a feeling he bought for himself. There’s some non-zero chance that he has set the following steps in motion:
1. His money causes Proposition 87 to be passed.
2. California becomes a leader in renewable energy.
3. California’s success becomes the model for the nation.
4. America’s dependence on foreign oil drops.
5. Terrorists lose funding and can’t afford to buy a black market nuke.
All of that is unlikely of course. But how cool would it be to wake up in the morning and know that you might be saving the world. It’s way better than producing The Polar Express and very nearly as good as impregnating Elizabeth Hurley. And best of all, the plan might work. There is some realistic possibility – albeit a tiny one – that Steve Bing IS saving the world.
But maybe, just maybe, Proposition 87 is a few votes short. And maybe by writing this post, a few more Californians will think “Sure, it’s a long shot, but I don’t see any better plan for saving the world” and they will vote for Proposition 87.
And that means that I might be saving the world. And I have to tell you that it feels pretty cool.
I reiterate that I have no idea whether Proposition 87 will work as advertised. It may indeed form a bureaucratic sink hole. But I do know that if you vote for it, you’ll get a tiny pleasurable feeling from knowing there is some non-zero chance that you saved the world. And that tiny pleasurable feeling will be paid for by Chevron.