Life's biggest regret speech becomes global hit

Writer George Saunders regrets not showing more kindness. Picture: AP Source: AP

SCHOOL might not be the best years of your life, but the experience can define your values.

It's been 42 years since the best-selling New York Times short story author, George Saunders was at school, but he still gets a pang of regret when he thinks about 'Ellen'. That's a made-up name for a real girl from Saunders' seventh grade class. She wore blue glasses, had an unfortunate habit of sucking her hair when she was nervous, and was the butt of most kid's jokes.

"Relative to most of the other kids, I was actually pretty nice to her. I never said an unkind word to her. In fact, I sometimes even (mildly) defended her. But still. It bothers me," he said.

That story formed the basis of a speech Saunders recently gave for the graduating class of Syracuse University 2013. Failures of kindness, he said was the biggest regret of his life.

"What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded … sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

"Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet.

"It's a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I'd say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder."

Saunders's simple words hit struck a powerful nerve. Within hours of the graduating ceremony it went viral on the internet and then Random House has struck him a book deal.

David Ulin, a book reviewer for the LA Times wrote a piece last week suggesting Saunders's witty and wise style of address, similar to David Foster Wallace's, This Is Water speech.

It's probably also because this notion of kindness is exactly as Saunders's suggests - a little lost on modern society.

But decide for yourself, read the full speech and tell us what you think in the comments below.

Keep the conversation going on Twitter @lucyjk |@newscomauhq

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