In a lengthy piece posted today, Salon's David Sirota explores the values and lessons that young people can learn from watching films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and E.T. Sirota describes how scenes from these movies teach kids about politicians, law enforcement, the workplace, civil liberties, and more.

The original "Star Wars," for example, warns children of the perils of aspiring eager-beaver middle management. Specifically, it warns kids not to try to show up anyone higher on the executive food chain in front of the boss, for fear of being publicly humiliated -- or choked to death -- at the staff meeting.

Sirota's other examples include the no-nonsense business practices of Toht from Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Fourth Amendment-violating government in E.T. He claims that these pop culture favorites will help kids understand that the world is a tough place and that there are bad people who pervert justice to nearly Vader-like levels. It's got a few questionable points (Lando Calrissian isn't a great example of a "self-interested and cruel" politician), but overall it's a good read.

Check out the full essay here on Salon's site!