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12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson.

by acangiano 8y ago

lanestp 8y ago
Don’t dismiss this because you think you disagree with the politics. 12 rules is life changing.
- libdjml 8y ago
  Agreed. If anyone thinks it’s a legitimately bad book, feel free to discuss why.
  - tomlock 8y ago
    It is a self-help book rooted in Jungian theory, widely discredited in modern psychology. His understanding of modern and postmodern philosophy is only deep enough to convince readers with no knowledge of those topics that he knows something about them.
    - tomlock 8y ago
      Also here's a great video that might help Peterson fans understand some of the problems with his positions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LqZdkkBDas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LqZdkkBDas
      - raarts 8y ago
        I urge everyone to look at this video. If this is the best the left can do, they are in big trouble. JP is much more convincing than this video is. Also - I see this a lot - he is attacked on ideological grounds, while his entire argument is that the discourse should be grounded in science, not ideology. Here's an example: many people seem to think that if you give men and women equal rights and opportunities, that this will automatically lead to 50-50 in STEM, health, politics etc. The problem here is that extensive research shows that in the societies where the most equal opportunities exist (Scandinavia) the differences between men an women in those areas actually increase. This research has not been refuted by anyone. Apparently when men and women are free to choose the life they want to lead, they make different choices. Which leads to the question: should we really push for equity in the sense of equal representation or is that just another form of oppression? Again: if this video is the best the left can do, they are in big trouble.
        tomlock 8y ago
        If the right is arguing against the belief that ratios will be 50-50 automatically given equal opportunities, they aren't arguing against the left. In fact the video states that the assertion there are biological differences between men and women is uncontraversial.
- WheelsAtLarge 8y ago
  I'm not sure where I got this book recommendation but I've read about 1/2 of it and I've very impressed with the advice. I also applaud the way it's presented. Self-help advice is mostly the author's opinion. It's very hard to prove or disprove any of it scientifically. So readers have to make a decision on whether it's good or not for themselves. Why is politics an issue? I ask because I was surprised it even came up. Anyhow, the book is worth reading. It gives very practical advice. Especially if you are just starting out in your career or the rest of your life for that matter.
kongDaKid 8y ago
HN has a large amount or regressive leftists and even communists.
RodericDay 8y ago
https://twitter.com/_Saeen_/status/955889027957297152 https://twitter.com/_Saeen_/status/955889027957297152 Here's a video of Jordan Peterson saying feminists support the rights of Muslims because of their "unconscious wish for brutal male domination." Interesting pick!
zozbot123 8y ago
> ruthlessly downvoted for ideological reasons I think it's just people here being a bit unclear about whether 12RFL qualifies for the non-fiction part. I mean, to me it's clear that it does, but with Peterson also being the author of "Maps of Meaning", mixups are inevitable.
- infiniteseeker 8y ago
  /s? ;-)
dang 8y ago
Please don't break the site guidelines by going on about downvoting. That just gives another, and this time legitimate, reason for downvoting. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- acangiano 8y ago
  Removed.
thekashifmalik 8y ago
I have to read it now. Been on my list all year!
Zanni 8y ago
I avoided this book for a long time because of a video I saw of Peterson taking an uncharitable stance towards trans people, but it was recommended to me so often by people I trust that I decided to check it out. I found I disagreed wildly with much of what he had to say, but often agreed enthusiastically with much else. An incredibly thought-provoking book, especially if you're interested in self-examination and living a better life. Don't take his 12 rules as a prescription for how to live life. Rather, think of the book as an extended conversation with a smart, somewhat disagreeable man who will spur you into thinking about what your 12 rules are. Bottom line: I'm glad I read it and would recommend it. With this caveat: don't take his 12 rules for life as a prescription
gikochi 8y ago
The review I read in the Guardian barely talks about the content of the book, and mostly talks about Peterson's ideology instead (in a negative way, which reflects how bad the left-right chasm is. This is not a book about politics) Probably a good book to read to understand why Peterson has a lot of fans.

12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson.

lanestp 8y ago

Don’t dismiss this because you think you disagree with the politics. 12 rules is life changing.

libdjml 8y ago
Agreed. If anyone thinks it’s a legitimately bad book, feel free to discuss why.
- tomlock 8y ago
  It is a self-help book rooted in Jungian theory, widely discredited in modern psychology. His understanding of modern and postmodern philosophy is only deep enough to convince readers with no knowledge of those topics that he knows something about them.
  - tomlock 8y ago
    Also here's a great video that might help Peterson fans understand some of the problems with his positions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LqZdkkBDas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LqZdkkBDas
    - raarts 8y ago
      I urge everyone to look at this video. If this is the best the left can do, they are in big trouble. JP is much more convincing than this video is. Also - I see this a lot - he is attacked on ideological grounds, while his entire argument is that the discourse should be grounded in science, not ideology. Here's an example: many people seem to think that if you give men and women equal rights and opportunities, that this will automatically lead to 50-50 in STEM, health, politics etc. The problem here is that extensive research shows that in the societies where the most equal opportunities exist (Scandinavia) the differences between men an women in those areas actually increase. This research has not been refuted by anyone. Apparently when men and women are free to choose the life they want to lead, they make different choices. Which leads to the question: should we really push for equity in the sense of equal representation or is that just another form of oppression? Again: if this video is the best the left can do, they are in big trouble.
      - tomlock 8y ago
        If the right is arguing against the belief that ratios will be 50-50 automatically given equal opportunities, they aren't arguing against the left. In fact the video states that the assertion there are biological differences between men and women is uncontraversial.
WheelsAtLarge 8y ago
I'm not sure where I got this book recommendation but I've read about 1/2 of it and I've very impressed with the advice. I also applaud the way it's presented. Self-help advice is mostly the author's opinion. It's very hard to prove or disprove any of it scientifically. So readers have to make a decision on whether it's good or not for themselves. Why is politics an issue? I ask because I was surprised it even came up. Anyhow, the book is worth reading. It gives very practical advice. Especially if you are just starting out in your career or the rest of your life for that matter.

kongDaKid 8y ago

HN has a large amount or regressive leftists and even communists.

RodericDay 8y ago

https://twitter.com/_Saeen_/status/955889027957297152 https://twitter.com/_Saeen_/status/955889027957297152 Here's a video of Jordan Peterson saying feminists support the rights of Muslims because of their "unconscious wish for brutal male domination." Interesting pick!

zozbot123 8y ago

> ruthlessly downvoted for ideological reasons I think it's just people here being a bit unclear about whether 12RFL qualifies for the non-fiction part. I mean, to me it's clear that it does, but with Peterson also being the author of "Maps of Meaning", mixups are inevitable.

infiniteseeker 8y ago
/s? ;-)

dang 8y ago

Please don't break the site guidelines by going on about downvoting. That just gives another, and this time legitimate, reason for downvoting. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

acangiano 8y ago
Removed.

thekashifmalik 8y ago

I have to read it now. Been on my list all year!

Zanni 8y ago

I avoided this book for a long time because of a video I saw of Peterson taking an uncharitable stance towards trans people, but it was recommended to me so often by people I trust that I decided to check it out. I found I disagreed wildly with much of what he had to say, but often agreed enthusiastically with much else. An incredibly thought-provoking book, especially if you're interested in self-examination and living a better life. Don't take his 12 rules as a prescription for how to live life. Rather, think of the book as an extended conversation with a smart, somewhat disagreeable man who will spur you into thinking about what your 12 rules are. Bottom line: I'm glad I read it and would recommend it. With this caveat: don't take his 12 rules for life as a prescription

gikochi 8y ago

The review I read in the Guardian barely talks about the content of the book, and mostly talks about Peterson's ideology instead (in a negative way, which reflects how bad the left-right chasm is. This is not a book about politics) Probably a good book to read to understand why Peterson has a lot of fans.