What Do You Think of Jordan Peterson?

[TheRealPepperPotts]

Jordan B. Peterson, Canadian clinical psychologist, author, and political commentator

“When you have something to say, silence is a lie.” ~ Jordan Peterson

Do you like his work? Have you read Twelve Rules for Life? Share your thoughts!

[Siri137]

Well, let's examine the first quote, shall we?

"When you have something to say, silence is a lie"

No, incorrect. When you have something to say, but don't say it, you may have a very good reason to refrain from speaking, and you may not wish to reveal that reason to the other person. There's another saying that is quite appropriate here, and especially when it concerns someone like Jordan Peterson. It goes like this:

"Better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool, than to open one's mouth and confirm it"

Whenever that guy opens his mouth, nothing but nonsense spills out of it. The guy is a joke, a pathetic symbol (like Andrew Tate) of all that is wrong with society today.

[handsomelad70]

Yeah, but he has many gullible followers ala Andrew Tate.

[Joshydavid25]

It can be a lie though... I like how you took one quote, and said that the guy is an idiot.. You probably never actually listened to him (but will probably lie and say that you did), and then for some reason mentioned him along with Andrew Tate of all people.. Jordan Peterson actually helped people to change their lives around, whereas Andrew Tate is a lie..

[avery58]

Meh, I'm getting bored of all these influencers. I can make up my own mind.

[handsomelad70]

But too many can't, hence the Jordan Petersons.

[Joshydavid25]

One of the few guys I would call a "hero" or look up to besides Jesus, maybe Denzel Washington as an actor and Thomas Sowell.. I appreciate that even though he's smart and an intellectual he seems to be constantly learning things right in front of us.. Definitely not some controversial figure like a lot of people like to point out.. He's more of a common sense philosopher.. I read 12 rules for life or listened to it.. I didn't agree with his take in Christianity in the book much at all, but it was a great book nonetheless..

[handsomelad70]

Jesus, Denzel Washington (as an actor;not sure about him otherwise), Thomas Sowell ( a black nonagenarian version of the radio and TV righties.) An eclectic trio. FAR TOO ECLECTIC to me.

[Joshydavid25]

@handsomelad70 Hahaha.. Well TBF Thomas Sowell sides on many issues with the Right, but I don't know if he ever established his political leanings.. But that's a fair assessment.. 😂

[b_lova]

I love his work. Though he is very confrontational he often speaks the truth others don't want to hear. At the same time he is a person and is not perfect, so is he right with everything, no, but it is up to the reasonable individual to decipher that for themselves.

[HawkPerception]

I agree with many of his opinions. And most of the things he says are based on purely statistics, a lot of which he has observed himself in his profession (psychology).

I believe he states things as they are; from an objective standpoint. And a lot of people, (especially the liberals and people who identify as "progressive") should listen to him seriously with an open and RATIONAL mind. Sadly liberals and rational are contradictory.

[KostasKouvalis]

I first discovered him when he was talking about race and IQ and I thought he knew what he was talking about, but the more videos I've watched of him, the more I realized what an idiot he is. He didn't know some general knowledge stuff and he also can't form a coherent sentence. He looks like he's on medication

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@KostasKouvalis He has been, for sure and has talked about it. What are some examples?

[Syntosi]

I have ran into mentions of him fairly regularly, but only because he keeps saying stupid stuff. I do not regard him very highly as a result.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Syntosi Would you mind sharing an example of stupid stuff he says? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Syntosi]

As I have said, I run into him fairly regularly so instead of linking different videos into a mess of a response I went back and found a video that is just short of 3 hours that demonstrates generally my experience and feeling of Jordan Peterson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSNWkRw53Jo

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Syntosi Thanks for sharing! It always interesting to see the perspectives people have and how they come to them.

[Siri137]

Oh... my... GOD! That's hilarious! :D I haven't watched the whole 3 hours yet, but the first few minutes already had me rolling on the floor! :D Wow, I knew he was stupid, but... oh dear.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Syntosi I'm an hour in. Cody makes a good point about the private school/IQ/wealth issue, and he is correct that IQ is not causal to wise choices and prudent wealth management. It reminds me of a question asked on GaG about if we should only allow intelligent people to vote. I answered no, because intelligence is not a good measure of character or ethics. Unpacking these things can be a Gordian Knot, for sure. Thanks again for sharing!

[Syntosi]

@Siri137 @TheRealPepperPotts
Glad you both enjoyed it. I also really like Codys manic energy and the fact that outside of his jokes he does not actually go super far and only truly comments on the things he knows he can prove without a shadow of a doubt.

[sirderpsalot123]

I haven't paid attention to him in awhile, but I think he's worth listening to as a young man. The parts about self control, learning to be happy, not giving in to anger, being strong, taking care of yourself, etc. I dislike when people say he's just another Andrew Tate.

[Siri137]

He's just another Andrew Tate.

[sirderpsalot123]

@Siri137 Andrew Tate is just garbage. No way around that.

Jordan Peterson is at worst a man obsessed with his own voice and has some bad takes. At least from what I've seen. He seems to be the lesser evil if young men are lost and looking for some form of guidance.

[Siri137]

Watch the video that Syntosi links below.

[handsomelad70]

Lesser, but if not evil, off-putting.

[handsomelad70]

Perhaps lads should take their dad's advice, if Pops is nearby.

[dustybiker2]

Not every important thought should be spoken in every situation. He's trying to sound profound there but coming up short. (Initial thoughts)

[TheRealPepperPotts]

I can see your point, although I suspect he has some context for that quote. Of course, the caveat is "something to say".

[dustybiker2]

Oh, I would hope so. Yes.
I was just going on what you shared, never heard of him.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

I hear you, and I get what you're saying. That's reasonable!

[WoundedCatalyst]

I love him, he's great. The way his mind works and grabs the most intricate details is fascinating. Practical and philosophical, anybody that cares about the deeper meaning of life would be interested I'm sure.
Like everything else though.. eat the meat and spit out the bones. There is not a one sizes fits all. Not everything that comes out of his mouth applies to everyone or everything. Life and people at far to complex for that. Though some things will always remain true.

[Anonymous]

great guy, smart guy but sometimes a bit naive on the plight of the average young man in the modern western world

he speaks in a way where only intelligent people can understand him which becomes hard for others to truly grasp his words

[jshm2]

Just another whack "motivational speaker"

[handsomelad70]

MOST "motivational" speakers are whack and socially awkward.

[ProbablyClueless]

He seems to be doing considerable good in the world.

[handsomelad70]

Such as?

[ProbablyClueless]

@handsomelad70 His books and life philosophies have impacted millions of people's lives. He's helped people's marriages, careers, self confidences; the list goes on.

[handsomelad70]

OK, but do these lads improve or worsen after taking "Professor" Peterson's advice or reading his books?

[ProbablyClueless]

@handsomelad70 They seem to be improving. It's pretty tough for someone to get worse by being taught how to take responsibility for themselves.

[handsomelad70]

Most righties don't.

[ProbablyClueless]

@handsomelad70 I don't agree with your assessment, but I'll work with it for the purpose of this conversation. To the extent that your perspective is true, isn't that more a reflection of those people individually than it is about Peterson's message?

[handsomelad70]

Yes, but I don't think Peterson's message is necessarily helpful in today's very fractious era.

[ProbablyClueless]

@handsomelad70 What do you think would make his message more helpful?

[handsomelad70]

If he tried to make it more palatable to POC.

[ProbablyClueless]

@handsomelad70 What aspect of his message do you think is unpalatable to POC, and how would he make it more POC-friendly?

[handsomelad70]

He ignores and sometimes vaguely disparages us.

[ProbablyClueless]

@handsomelad70 can you cite an example of a time he disparaged you?

[handsomelad70]

Peterson and I don't know each other;I mean POC generally.

[ProbablyClueless]

@handsomelad70 Of course, but I'm saying that there must be some example you could point to of him saying something that was dismissive of POC for you to think that he is dismissive of POC.

[handsomelad70]

I'd LOVE to kick him in his five-centimetre (two-inch) c**k !!!

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@handsomelad70 What's your angle on this? I've noticed a ton of interest from you on this question, and I am curious about it. It seems like it's more personal than just not liking him, almost like you knew him at one point or something? Like maybe you have an inside scoop or a personal story? I can tell you really hate him, for sure.

[Arik_jade]

Yes... i liked his ideology... can you please DM me soft copy of that book...

[TheRealPepperPotts]

No, I won't. You can look it up yourself.

[Arik_jade]

OK... no worries

[Meropatrick]

I love his work one of the few sane men around

[Juxtapose]

He's overall pretty cool but can be a bit too emotional.

[BarryLiverstone]

Seems smart. But he probably should have stayed in academia.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

The man is seriously overrated. Nothing but word porn with this man.

[handsomelad70]

Jordan Peterson IS porn !!!

[Pohjolan]

Guy is fine on sociology I suppose but doesn't know much about hard physics.

[NathanDavis]

I have not read his books

[handsomelad70]

Nor have I, maybe for all the right reasons !!!

[Fireguy17]

I have never heard of him.

[jahaims]

He means well but is too much of an existentialist

[msc545]

Meh. Yells too much.

[exitseven]

whe is he?

[gorydetails]

he’s fantastic.

[RedInnocent69]

Not much.