MNHQ here: How would you feel about a Jordan Peterson webchat?

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

We've been offered a webchat with Jordan Peterson (his new book has a chapter on parenting, although the publishers (Penguin) recognise a webchat is likely to be more wide-ranging than that). We know he's very controversial, to put it mildly, but also as you know we believe in the value of open debate. So we thought we'd ask you what you think: would you like the chance to put questions to him and debate him on-site or would you rather not?

I'd really enjoy reading this. MNetters are surely robust enough to hand him his arse if he's openly sexist/homophobic, no?

Even if the web chat were restricted to established MNetters, it would bring MN to the attention of JP fans, many of whom seem to have issues with women. This could then cause problems for the rest of the forum.

I don’t think his advice on parenting would be that welcome.

Yes, please.

Yes. Highly unlikely he will change my mind on anything but we don’t do ourselves any favours just ignoring people whose views we find unpalatable.

Did he approach you MNHQ?

@MrsTerryPratchett

Did he approach you MNHQ?

Penguin did - they're publishing the paperback of his book in the UK

I wonder why. Is it that MN is a huge market or is it because he wants to engage with us about free speech (or more worryingly, about feminism)?

I think his views on sex and gender are ridiculous but I do think it would be interesting to know what he thinks about MN and it's stance on women being able to speak openly (mostly). In light of the recent thread on FWR about MN being told to release details of MNers, that's an interesting question.

noblegiraffe: “Even if the web chat were restricted to established MNetters, it would bring MN to the attention of JP fans, many of whom seem to have issues with women. This could then cause problems for the rest of the forum.”

This would be my biggest concern too.

I'd very much welcome this opportunity. I've watched about 100 hours of his university lectures, talks, interviews etc. I don't agree with all his views and beliefs, but I've yet to see or hear anything he's said that brands him transphobic, homophobic, sexist, racist etc.

He's an academic and clinical psychologist who had a private practice for about 20 years, he's not a politician. The debate on the C16 bill in Canada about pronouns brought him to prominence. He has said the trans issue is secondary, his interest was the intent to mandate speech by law.

The TRAs on Youtube uploading their videos which they thought made them look like victorious warriors actually had the opposite effect. He began to attract a whole new set of people interested in his work, predominantly men, as Youtube is mainly a platform used by men.

Disclaimer: I'm female and not related or in his employ

The man is brilliant and his views are only deemed 'controversial' by the current shouty bubble. I would definitely welcome him!

I am also concerned about the influx of misogynists and MRAs that may follow as a a result of interacting with JP. It would be very tedious.

I honestly wouldn't be in the slightest bit interested in yet another male windbag coming to give us the benefit of his incredible wisdom to tell us what women are like.

If you watch his lectures and public talks, not just soundbites and trashy media "interviews" he doesn't tell women what women are like. He often says how alike men and women are, they only vary at the extremes. He's positive about women, as parents, in the workplace, in relationships. He says there's no difference in IQ levels, but that women, in general, tend to be more interested in people, men in things. I can't see where the controversy is.

The Cathy Newman channel 4 interview. She goes at him with precisely this agenda and falls flat on her face.

In a kind of know your enemy sort of way it could be interesting.

Is it Let’s Listen To A Misogynist Arsehole Day and nobody told me?

That’s a no from me.

"but that women, in general, tend to be more interested in people, men in things. I can't see where the controversy is."

Oh look. Telling us what women are like. I'm not interested in his opinion on that. It's bs and tedious.

id be interested in having a discussion with him. Might not agree with everything he says but i think it would be very engaging. As someone else said, cant be any worse than Penny Mordaunt.

It would be like posting a neon sign to direct all the really vile, woman-hating keyboard warriors towards MN. It would also suggest that he is a credible voice on parenting.

JP fans will use the webchat as a kind of target practice exercise

I think he’d get more out of it than any of us or MN would. Having him on benefits only him as far as I can see.

I like Jordan Peterson. That aside, if we are the enlightened and tolerant people we proclaim ourselves to be we should be prepared to speak to him even if we don't like his views. Being enlightened and tolerant we would naturally recognise that he is of equal value to us and should be treated as such.

Tolerating bullshit just makes us all stink.

I think he’d be a fantastic choice, he’s very sound when it comes to the (many) problems with men.

He isn’t very good or even knowledgeable when it comes to feminist ideas, so it’d be interesting to see how he engages with it.

It’d be hilarious though if he doesn’t do his research and just expects a bunch of mums asking about how to raise boys in the current era (although I’d definitely be interested in that as well)

Have you asked Penguin why a woman hater wants to even come onto Mumsnet?

££££££££ would be why.

I think it’s a very bad idea. It will give him undeserved credibility and only benefit him. I don’t think it’s worth the unpleasant attention it would draw to the site.