Jordan Peterson: The radical Left is guilt-tripping the West into oblivion

Dr Jordan Peterson discusses how to win the culture war, with insights from Soviet and Nazi dissidents who stood up against tyranny and compares their struggles with clampdowns on free speech today. He sits down with The Telegraph’s Steven Edginton in a wide-ranging discussion from why Britain was a miracle for the world to if he is addicted to Twitter:

On the culture wars:

“The right lacks vision. They play a rearguard game. They don't have a compelling story to tell young people. And because they're conscientious, conservatives are conscientious, it's easy to hoist them on the petard of guilt. And the psychopathic narcissists of the radical left are unbelievably good at that.”

On the personal versus the political:

“I think you have to get your psychological house in order before you can be even remotely effective politically in the fundamental sense. Otherwise, you're just a tool of ideology or your own ego.”

On Britain:

“English common law is a complete bloody miracle … what a phenomenal accomplishment. And so, yes, I think that makes Britain singular and worthy of tremendous admiration … It's a country that's suffering from far too much guilt at the moment.”

On Twitter:

“Twitter isn't optional, it's how I sample the culture. Is it a biased sample? Probably.”

On slavery:

“It was the British who decided hands down that slavery was wrong and then did something about it. And that is documented historical reality.”

On the EU and France:

“A lot of the centralising tendency that's characteristic of the EU can be laid at the foot of the same spirit that motivated the French, the French revolutionaries … I see the French Revolution in itself as a reflection of something deeper, which is the continuing manifestation of the spirit of Cain.”

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[joenichols]

Hats off to The Telegraph for giving Jordan Peterson an honest interview

[marc]

This 23-Year-old journalist is absolutely breathtaking in his professionalism and maturity. Kudos to the Telegraph for giving him the brief.

[ryryk]

“The predatory psychopaths have figured out how to cloak themselves in the guise of compassion” that hit deeply

[WhosAfraidofErikNordingII]

I'm both pleased and shocked a mainstream media outlet would allow such a lucid and critical of the left conversation like Mr. Peterson's. What a breath of fresh air!

[AscendantStoic]

What am I seeing!!?, a mainstream outlet actually practicing proper journalism and interviewing, quite a miracle really!

[mandyshanks]

Steven Edgington is one of the few very intelligent and articulate interviewers. He is a beam of light in the UK journalistic swamp.

[stevengraham]

Losing your job whilst speaking with great knowledge, dignity, and basic truths, is disgraceful free speech is a hard won right for all. Jordan has earned the respect he has . Great man

[nicolasrvg]

As a French, I'm actually shocked that a mainstream media like The Telegraph sets up an interview of this level of quality

[paulmorrison]

For me the most eye catching part of the interview is how deliberate and considered Dr Peterson is in his answers. It is amazing to see an influential person in public unafraid of a silent pause, the cardinal sin of modern media, to consider his answer and deliver it in a coherent and articulate manner, if only our Leaders behaved with a fraction of that level of awareness, where would our various communities, societies, nations and humanity in general be today?

[roselilly]

That Trudeau closed down truckers banking accounts really shocked me because I used to think this wouldn’t happen in democratic countries before I immigrated to Canada.

[marjorierensen-rip]

I am Canadian from birth; in the past I was proud, now I never talk about it. So very, very SAD!

[willem]

What an amazing interview, what a sharp minded young journalist and what a courageous step to take for the Telegraph. All isn't lost yet.

[mariusc.k.]

This is great journalism. No interruptions and arguing from the interviewer. Just straight up interviewing, like it should be.

[bumsharvest]

JP has helped me, for sure. My IQ goes up 30 points listening to him. Much love JP.

[danviridian]

Excellent from start to finish, well done The Telegraph

[terrorists-are-among-us]

If more people were honest we wouldn't be in this situation.

[lesleyparkinson]

That was hands down, one of the most relaxed, informative conversations a MSM journalist has allowed Jordan Peterson to take part in for a very long time!!! Congratulations to that young fella! His intelligence allowed for exploration of his own ideas, he didn’t seem guided by ego or the desire to achieve a prescribed tick list of conflict triggers scripted by an editor to sell copy or a frenzy of clicks.

[Twmpa]

It is heartening to see one of our mainstream newspapers do an interview with Dr Jordan Peterson in a fair and intelligent way.

[tviwkhx]

Jordan is so unbelievable clever it’s lovely to hear him speak, he is motivated by the way we are

[maxpower]

The worst evil is evil disguising itself as good and taking advantage of people's goodness to use it against them to perpetrate evil.