Be Good

The inspiration for the title of this blog, 'Be Good', comes from one of my favourite films, and the one I have watched the most times (but not a weird geeky number of times): E.T. The Extra Terrestrial.

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)

For those who don't remember (don't remember - you gotta be kiddin me!), the last lines of the film are:

E.T.: Come...

Elliot: Stay...

E.T.: Ouch.

Elliot: Ouch.

E.T.: I'll... be... right... here.

Elliot: ...bye.

E.T.: Be good.

E.T.: [touching heart, about to leave] Ouuuuch!

God, I'm welling up - seriously I am - this is a great film. Anyway I could have called the blog 'Ouuuuch' but the thing that is inspiring about these lines is that of all the things that E.T. could say to Elliot, and by implication to the human race, he simply says 'Be Good'. It is Stephen Speilberg's message to the World and it is the message of all parents to their children as they leave the house on their own. In fact E.T. learned 'Be Good' from Gertie (you know, the cowgirl) who was told the same by her mother Mary.

Some criticise Speilberg's 'sentimentality', but give me sentimentality over brutality any day. He is an optimist, and inspires hope in human nature when faced with dark forces. Huge odds can be overcome when one man/woman/child makes the choice to be good and so inspires others. Think Schindler's List.

So what does it mean to 'Be Good'? If someone is described as 'a good man' (usually noted shortly after they depart this Earth, more's the pity) then this does not necessarily mean that he performed specific meritorious or charitable deeds; instead it more often than not means that they chose to live in a general way, and most of the time, to help and not harm others. A 'good woman' has different connotations, but let's not get into that.

I think most would say that they are good people, just like most say they are good drivers. The happy truth is that the vast majority of people are good, kind and caring as well as being safe, considerate drivers (honestly!). It appears that we have the great fortune to have evolved so that being generally good is the norm - and not just to our direct genetic heirs. However perhaps this is a fragile truth that needs to be constantly maintained by the efforts of good people.

So be good until I come back. And another thing - phone home!

P.S. When writing this I Googled 'Schindler's List' and was offered 'Schindler's Lifts' - it's for real!! http://www.schindlerlifts.co.uk/