The point system
Did you know: Remembering your sister’s birthday gets you 15.02 points towards entry into the Good Place? Ruining an opera could make you lose 90.9 points? Genocide costs 433163.57 points, but ending slavery gains you 814292.09 points? Selling a camel without disclosing its illness costs 22.22 points? (Episode 1, Season 1). The premise of The Good Place is that people’s place in heaven is earned: their good and bad deeds over a lifetime are painstakingly weighed up (by immortal accountants), and a high enough total gains them a pass mark. This idea has a few different consequences: ☛ People who are aware of (or suspect the existence of) the point system can get stressed about missing out by a few points; if they do something wrong, particularly just before they die, it might be enough to tip the balance and forbid them entry to the Good Place. Having your eternal fate depend on how good you are at “being good” is very anxiety inducing. (Th...