tech
February 2, 2026
What Landman gets right about economics
As Landman concluded a riveting second season, it offered a reminder of why it was the most popular show on television in 2025.
TL;DR
- *Landman*, created by Taylor Sheridan, stars Billy Bob Thornton as Tommy Norris, a crisis manager in the oil industry.
- The show explores themes of wealth, power, ambition, and family dynamics.
- A key aspect of the show is its grasp of economics, particularly the concept of tradeoffs and opportunity costs.
- The article contrasts the perceived 'cleanliness' of renewable energy with the significant material and environmental costs of their production and infrastructure.
- It highlights the essential role of fossil fuels in the current global economy, despite their inherent dangers and environmental impact.
- The show illustrates that risks and costs are present at all levels of the oil industry, from rig workers to executives.
- *Landman* offers a realistic perspective on the challenges of energy transition, concluding that everything has a cost.
Continue reading the original article