C'mon Buck, there's always going to be people like Affleck
I think he's a talented filmmaker, but inviting him to such a discussion is a typical show-biz mistake. He's not there to make any real intellectual contribution, he's just there to be Ben Affleck. And for good or bad, star-power makes some people listen. It's why Jim Carrey can, in some people's minds, successfully challenge medical doctors in debates over medical science. It's the democratization of communication, baby--for better or worse, everyone has a voice.
FWIW, I actually think there's less daylight between you and ER on this matter than you might think. But that's up to the two of you to determine, of course.