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Original poster

Jordan B Peterson

232 replies

CandyTiger · 27/12/2018 19:13

I was given '12 rules for life' by the above author. At first I was insulted that the person who gave me this book, actually thought I needed a self-help book (I don't btw).

I decided to read it anyway. I am not really impressed by the so called 'intellectual' Peterson. He has a bit of a reputation for arguing with feminists.

I am very interested in what other people think of Peterson.

Thanks, in advance.

OP posts:
nauticant · 27/12/2018 19:21

A mixture of common sense, snake oil, and stereotypes presented as objective reality. The really interesting thing to me is that when he presents his arguments he seems to define them in a particular argument space in which others struggle to critically unpick what he's saying.

Let's see his fans appear now. We'll be in for a telling-off then.

Original poster
CandyTiger · 27/12/2018 19:25

Thanks N.

Sits back, with popcorn ready

OP posts:
wanderingcloud · 27/12/2018 19:25

I received this for Christmas, I haven't started reading it yet but I am interested in what he has to say. I'm generally on the fence ATM since he seems to be a bit of an alt-right poster boy.

deepwatersolo · 27/12/2018 19:40

I don‘t know JP’s 12 rules for life. I think he makes great points about the Importance of free speech for the evolution of thought: one must be free to say anything, even the most stupid stuff so that the ideas can be tested against other Arguments... >90% of Stuff we say is bullshit anyway, but what is not can survive as an idea and further developed by others....

I think he has a point there (and when speaking about feminism he proves his own point about the 90% bullshit Wink ).

All in all I prefer someone with whom I can fervently disagree in heated discussions to the type of people who try to ban wrongthink, #nodebate, gulags and all.

Terfing · 27/12/2018 19:40

He was on Question Time a few months ago, and he actually came across as the most sensible and practical on the panel.

I don't like a lot of what he says, but I do admire him for the fact hat he doesn't care what others think. He doesn't sit on the fence or bow down to name calling.

I particularly like what he says about pronouns. It's just a shame that he is one of the few people in Canada speaking up.

Calmamidstthestorm · 27/12/2018 19:44

He speaks common sense

MaryThorne · 27/12/2018 19:47

I like him and his work. He has some very interesting and thoughtful points of view on a wide range of topics.

Worth reading with an open mind.

Ampersandcolon · 27/12/2018 19:47

I read his book. I like what he stands for. He encourages people to tap into their inner strength.

BWatchWatcher · 27/12/2018 19:48

Wait until you reach Rule 5.
I got the audio book and found it waffly though tolerable until Rule 5.
He made some interesting points, but he is essentially very right wing.

MrsTerryPratcett · 27/12/2018 19:54

All in all I prefer someone with whom I can fervently disagree in heated discussions to the type of people who try to ban wrongthink, #nodebate, gulags and all.

I agree with this. I have been known to have hours long arguments with conservatives about American interventionism, equal marriage rights, feminism, all sorts of things. Sometimes I 'won' and sometimes I didn't. But at least I was allowed to speak.

I don't agree with him on many points.

53rdWay · 27/12/2018 19:55

He’s given me some excellent ideas for my New Year’s resolutions, I’ll say that for him.

Jordan B Peterson
53rdWay · 27/12/2018 19:56

Resolution 1: Usurp men.
Resolution 2: Enslave men.
👍

Jordan B Peterson
zippey · 27/12/2018 19:58

I think he is very good. He compses common sense arguments and sometimes this doesn’t sit well with some feminists and TRA’s.

I think he is interesting to listen to.

BWatchWatcher · 27/12/2018 20:06

Resolution 1: Usurp men.
Resolution 2: Enslave men.

Oh yeah, that sounds like an interesting 2019.

53rdWay · 27/12/2018 20:11

My third resolution would be “get one of Jordan Peterson’s fans to summarise and defend his actual arguments rather than repeat endlessly that he’s been taken out of context and people need to watch 16 hours more YouTube videos to truly understand his genius”, but probably enslaving all the men in the world will be quicker.

MrsTerryPratcett · 27/12/2018 20:11

DH already does most of the cleaning so I'm good. Not sure I can be arsed to usurp or enslave random men.

Neurotrash · 27/12/2018 20:13

He's made me think about various points. I agree or disagree.

It's helped me to recognise that we can't exist in our own silo or echo chamber.

Don't especially like him but for someone I mostly disagree with (liked the pronoun argument though) , he sets out his arguments in ways I understand but still disagree with, which is helpful to then be able to argue the toss with with someone else. So fully understanding the opposing view if that makes sense.

Original poster
CandyTiger · 27/12/2018 20:16

I found the sleeping beauty allegory (chapter 5), a bit creepy tbh.

OP posts:
AssassinatedBeauty · 27/12/2018 20:22

I'd love to know what "usurping" men actually involves?

ToeToToe · 27/12/2018 20:30

The "intellectual" Jordan Peterson can be impressive - some of his lectures about totalitarianism or political history are v interesting.

He's very anti-feminist though. I don't think he's a raging misogynist in the way the MGTOWs/Incels are - but he's definitely no feminist. I am deeply uncomfortable with some of the things he's says about women. And lobsters. The lobsters thing makes him look a bit of a fool.

ToeToToe · 27/12/2018 20:33

He's v pro-men - his advice to men is great I think. I was thinking of getting his 12 rules book for my DS - but I'm always put off by his anti-feminism, and the way he's held up as an idol by the Incels. I'm not wanting my DS to go down that road...

FloralBunting · 27/12/2018 20:33

I like what he has to say about free speech, and independent thought.

The content of his own views, beyond his strong advocacy for liberty, is largely mince, however and from what I can tell, a few tidy steps up from a lot of incelism.

I mean, yeah, whatever, his arguments for liberty are strong and worthy, but his 'anti-feminism' monologues aren't nearly as devastating as he and his followers appear to think, largely because he's bashing a huge corn dolly. He's only quite as effective as an orator about these issues because he has a driving manner of delivery which stops anyone getting a word in to counter his errors.

I watched a video of his where he 'destroyed' feminism, and all I saw was a man refusing to let a woman speak while he told her what was wrong with the imaginary notion he had invented and called 'Feminism'.

In short, not nearly as impressive beyond a ten second look.

nauticant · 27/12/2018 20:43

I'd go along with that FloralBunting. Have a look, there is stuff there worth thinking about, but there's less there than meets the eye.

MargueritaPink · 27/12/2018 20:54

In what way is Peterson anti-feminist? "He's so anti-feminist" pops up regularly as a given

Does he oppose women being educated? Voting? Working? Being paid equally? I've never heard him say anything like that.

He is, as far as I can make out, not opposed to abortion on the basis of it being the lesser of 2 evils- which is hardly an outrageous stance and one that many would share.

He dislikes pornography.

The Guardian dismissing him as "right wing" is not worth giving the time of day to.