E.T. - Big Think

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Here are some things that you may remember from the science fiction movie classic, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial:

At the beginning, E.T. is a little bit mysterious and spooky

Most of the adults are fearful of E.T.

The children generally react to E.T. matter-of-factly or with a sense of joy and play

Those who become comfortable with E.T. discover that it can augment their personal abilities (mental bonding) and make other amazing things happen (telekinesis, revival of a dying plant)

E.T. often has no clue – or doesn’t seem to care – about fitting into the surrounding environment; it just does its own thing

E.T. is easily (and sometimes disastrously) attracted to new things (pizza, Reese’s Pieces, television, beer)

Sometimes E.T. wreaks havoc (frogs!)

E.T. touches people’s emotions: it’s vexing, wondrous, and exhilarating; it makes people laugh and cry

Those who really understand E.T. are impacted quite powerfully by it

In many ways our world is both hostile and toxic to E.T.

The government reacts with a heavy hand and tries to lock everything down and keep everyone safe from E.T.

Ultimately, E.T. has to live in its own special world in order to thrive

Go back and read this list again. Kind of sounds like Educational Technology (E.T.), doesn’t it?

Image credit:E.T.

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people