The first of many - Meeting the modern philosopher.
I met Dr. Jordan Peterson on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 during the book tour for his latest book, We Who Wrestle with God. The book analyzes the Bible stories and explains them from a scientific and conscientious perspective.
Pittsburgh was one of his pitstops, so I snagged a VIP pass to meet him.
($492, in case you're wondering.)
Who is Jordan Peterson anyway?
Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist and a 3x best-selling author who has written:
Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief (1999)
12 Rules for Life: The Antidote to Chaos (2018)
Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life (2021)
All of whose themes revolve around psychology, mythology, religion, personal development, literature, and philosophy.
He also has an extensive academic career as a Psychology professor, having lectured and extensively researched at Harvard University and the University of Toronto.
Tammy's husband and father to Mikhaila and Julian Peterson, Jordan is also the founder and architect of the Future Authoring Program and Peterson Academy, the latter of which is coming soon.
My notes
In Jordan Peterson's language.
On Writing
Writing is the deepest form of thought.
When you think, you translate your thoughts into words through writing.
This is why I write.
On Righteousness
To sin is to miss the target.
Biblically, sinning is going contrary to God's command. Thus, you miss the target of spiritual salvation.
On Inspiration
The USA is a country where people's success encourages others; It's called The Land of Opportunity for a reason.
It's also partly why capitalism thrived while communism crumbled post-Cold War.
Great players are inspirational people. They don't just win the game - they inspire other players to win it as well.
Always aim upward.
On Adventure
At 75 years old, Abraham left Midian to seek an adventure on God's command.
God promised Abraham (nee Abram) an eternal covenant and an eminent reputation.
And there is nothing that protects you more than a reputation.
On Sacrifice
Christ is the Spirit of voluntary self-sacrifice.
His life epitomizes the willingness to die for humanity's malevolence.
On Integrity
If you don't speak up, something will happen.
Abraham spoke and saved his nephew Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah.
On the other hand, Jonah refused to speak, and a fish gobbled him up for three days.
When you lie, you live a lie and enact a life full of lies, not your life. Stop lying.
Freedom of speech, defined by the First Amendment, is not about insulting or attacking others but speaking the truth against tyrannies.
On Faith
You should have immense faith that you accept whatever happens to you as the best thing that could ever happen to you.
Don't lose faith, no matter what.
Prayer is a faith catalyst that most religions emphasize on its importance.
Prayer is also a form of gratitude - At least you're not on fire.
On Responsibility
Sacrifice yourself to the highest possible, self-imposed responsibility you can take and watch yourself bloom into the incomparable reward it brings.
With responsibility comes meaningful suffering, and that is life's essence.
And that reward mostly justifies the suffering.
The greatest game to play is the highest possible aim you can give yourself.
You don't need politicians to change the world if you take personal responsibility and do it yourself.
Do not under any circumstances abdicate your moral obligation like Jonah.
"What would you tell 23-year-old Jordan?"
There was also a Q&A session where attendees asked 517 questions through a QR code.
And with limited time, Jordan can answer only so many.
But, of course, I still took my shot, so I asked mine.
Interestingly enough, you could upvote the intriguing questions, which would bump them higher on the list.
But anyway, Jordan answered three questions.
And thanks be to God, the last one was mine.
"What would you tell 23-year-old Jordan?"
His answer:
As summarized by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jordan would tell his 23-year-old self to:
Stop drinking.
Marry Tammy sooner.
Stop making a fool of himself.
Conclusion
Jordan is someone I emulate to be as a motivational speaker, not a psychologist.
(People dub me for motivational speaking; we'll see.)
I also like how he speaks on the spot and sometimes with his laptop. There's a fandom theory that goes:
Jordan is a having a conversation with himself and we have the pleasure of listening in.
And I thought that was true.
Needless to say, Jordan is indeed a man of our times. It's like seeing Plato, Aurelius, or Socrates alive in the 21st century - Jordan, to me, is their 21st-century counterpart.
This isn't the last time I'm meeting him.
First of many, God willing.
Until then,
.
.
.
~T.K.K
This is a very well done summary of that meeting wit JP, and makes one (myself) rethink how I communicate my thoughts, on intregrity, on the "speaking truth to power" under a respectful background as opposed to current culture of attack and counter-attack on anything we do not fully understand. Very informative! Keep it up TKK