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MNHQ

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

9 replies

RowanMumsnet · 05/04/2019 13:13

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?

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MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 05/04/2019 13:37

FWIW we can restrict the webchat thread so that only established MN users can post on it - we do this occasionally when we expect a webchat to be really busy or when we suspect it might get swamped by people who might not have sincere intentions

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 05/04/2019 13:39

@RuffleCrow

Erm, i thought we were trying to shake off the gender stereotypes here?

If you want a thread full of #whataboutthemenz go ahead. I can't see what use he would be. Is there money involved by any chance MNHQ?

Nope, no money at all - just a straightforward webchat like the ones we do with politicians. Obviously from his/Penguin's point of view it's a chance to promote the book.

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 05/04/2019 17:39

Thanks all - please keep on letting us know what you think over the weekend (and hope everyone has a good one)

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 08/04/2019 15:58

@MrsTerryPratchett

Did he approach you MNHQ?

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

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 09/04/2019 09:26

@PigeonofDoom

No thanks. He’s a misogynist asshat who uses pseudoscience to support his ideas. Evolutionary psychology is 90% bollocks. As a female scientist I’ve had to fight against silly little pricks like him and it is so dispiriting to think you’d give him space on here. Would you give space to a far right sexist politician? No, so you shouldn’t be giving space to him either.

Well, we have had Nigel Farage on - giving MNers the chance to talk to him about his stated belief that employers should be able to have a policy of not hiring women, among other things.

Sorry to hear about your struggles with the pricks though - can imagine that's exhausting.

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 09/04/2019 09:27

@StripyDeckchair

Why not invite a better qualified, more intellectually rigorous, more thoughtful female academic who works in a similar area? I'm sure the Women in Academia Support Network would have lots of great suggestions.

It's not no platforming to say you're not going to invite someone on because their ideas (however popular with certain groups) are poorly evidenced. It makes really fed up that a site like Mumsnet wants to give space to another mediocre man over the many brilliant women who are doing real and deeply interesting scholarly work, rather than chasing controversy and retweets.

Please be more interesting! Buck the trend, start a new conversation.

Absolutely, to having brilliant women scientists on - anyone you'd particularly like to see?

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 09/04/2019 09:29

@Erythronium

He doesn't sound very interesting. I'd say no.

What about Caroline Criado Perez? She's got a new book to promote.

CCP did a guest post for us on the People's Vote/second referendum (delete as per political preference) a few weeks back - it was around the time of her book's publication so we sort of had to choose which avenue to take - but yep we'd love to have her on to talk about the book. We'll follow it up

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 09/04/2019 09:32

@DryHeave

Only if Mumsnet donated the payment they’d receive from the publisher to a worthy, woman-supporting cause.

We wouldn't be paid for doing it - there would be no money or payment-in-kind changing hands here at all

MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 11/04/2019 10:00

Thank you for the suggestions - we'll add them to our list - I would really like Jim Al-Khalili to explain that black hole to me tbh. (Mary Beard probably also understands it a lot better than I do, come to think of it)

We can ask about getting a preview of the parenting chapter - Penguin might be reluctant as they'd probably rather people bought the book, but no harm in asking

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