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I'm happy for you that you got over Jordan Peterson. IMO you drew the wrong conclusions about him though. From what I've heard/read of Peterson, he is usually c

I'm happy for you that you got over Jordan Peterson. IMO you drew the wrong conclusions about him though. From what I've heard/read of Peterson, he is usually correct in his observation/analyses, BUT only within the framework of very conservative role models. The point here is that he doesn't even add original ideas. I think what makes him so popular among his fans is that he lends scientific credence to embracing reactionary role models. Some men (and even a few women) seem to feel deeply insecure without a very explicit set of rules of how to interact with the opposite sex, how to live even. Maybe some men feel threatened by emancipated women or maybe they can't find their place in a society that places few constraints on what to do after growing up. Peterson spells out for them in detail how to conform to the traditional gender roles historically endorsed by the church, but he substitutes the foundation of christian moralism with evolutionary theory and sociology. He's handing his disciples a step by step guide to building a family. Why this brand of "neo-conservatism" can be popular in a secular world, one where science offers explanations once received through faith, but fails to provide the comfort and sense of belonging that Christianity built its success on ever since its humble beginnings as an obscure, persecuted underground cult in the Roman Empire, doesn't need much explanation. Believe it or not, there are in fact women subscribing to these old school values. It's not like Peterson is forcing anyone to roll back the achievements of feminism or promoting inequality, just some archaic ideas that still work well enough for some to embrace them as a template for their lives. What's so toxic or controversial about that?

pksebben 6y ago
Where to start? Besides that it's oppresive, based on bad science, reductive, reactionary, and small-minded. Those feelings of insecurity are there because of a conservative cultural context, that shames difference and enforces conformity to an arbitrary norm. Put bluntly, this system of belief will prevent you from learning real things about the world. If you constantly avoid genuine interactions with people because those interactions scare you, you'll never learn why those interactions are not actually scary. I would direct you to Plato's cave. Petersen is asking you to take the shadows on the wall at face value.
- fuckminster_b 6y ago
  The flaw in your reasoning is that you yourself have accepted a prison for your mind. I see this often among self-described liberals from the states. You assume that someone who didn't arrive at your conclusions is not aware of what's outside the cave. That's elitism. Conservatives are not stupid. Maybe they prefer 'tried and true' over 'new and better'. Taking the red pill (I'm aware of the bullshit ideological association, this is irony. My pop cultural point of reference is Matrix) is a taking a leap of faith. Given who's offering said pill ("liberals" like you), passing on it is actually sound decision making.

pksebben 6y ago

Where to start? Besides that it's oppresive, based on bad science, reductive, reactionary, and small-minded. Those feelings of insecurity are there because of a conservative cultural context, that shames difference and enforces conformity to an arbitrary norm. Put bluntly, this system of belief will prevent you from learning real things about the world. If you constantly avoid genuine interactions with people because those interactions scare you, you'll never learn why those interactions are not actually scary. I would direct you to Plato's cave. Petersen is asking you to take the shadows on the wall at face value.

fuckminster_b 6y ago
The flaw in your reasoning is that you yourself have accepted a prison for your mind. I see this often among self-described liberals from the states. You assume that someone who didn't arrive at your conclusions is not aware of what's outside the cave. That's elitism. Conservatives are not stupid. Maybe they prefer 'tried and true' over 'new and better'. Taking the red pill (I'm aware of the bullshit ideological association, this is irony. My pop cultural point of reference is Matrix) is a taking a leap of faith. Given who's offering said pill ("liberals" like you), passing on it is actually sound decision making.