The Decline of Jordan Peterson

The enormous vigor and potential of Jordan Peterson has been squandered.

[cyandamadlala]

He joined Twitter, that's when his downfall started

[TheAquarius]

I miss the man who could talk passionately about the profoundness of Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio.

[tedarcher]

To be fair, not many people would remain as reasonable as he after the amount of abuse he and his family endured

[kalash_nikov]

I have noticed the same thing in the past year and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.

I can admit that I was a huge fan(boy) of Peterson for years, in fact back in 2017 when I discovered him his lectures pulled me out of suicidal thoughts after a big breakup. But recently you can notice the change in his behaviour and approach. It's not about *what* he's saying (although he talks about more diverse topics with more confidence like climate change and similar), but *how* he says it.

As he says himself - be careful with your speech. It's one thing to say "I think we should be careful about those new policies which are intended to help with X, because there are potential huge drawbacks" and it's another when you say "Climate change fascists are trying to destroy...".

Siding with a specific political wing, when he was the one who taught me that every view is worth listening to and there's always something good to learn from every side, is particularly disappointing to watch.

I don't think that him crying more often during interviews is something to criticize him for. It might be sign of emotional dysregulation, but maybe it's him embracing his emotional side more and more, and being comfortable with the world to see it. He is, after all, talking about some serious and heartwrenching topics when speaking in public.

[paininthepatoot]

I have to agree that I don't think Jordan Peterson is the same as he used to be. What has caused the decline I don't know. Dealing with his wife's cancer? Dealing with constant attacks from all directions? His own health and issues with drugs (probably caused by the pressure)? I can't imagine what it would be like to have to deal with all he has had to but it must have changed him. I is can only hope he is able to work out what is affecting him and get back to what he once was.

[WiseGk]

He still puts up interesting stuff, but it's not the same. Hardened. Captured. I can't see him as the same free thinker he once was, and that breaks my heart.

[rodgermurphy]

It takes alot of energy and dedication to stand up against the soulless degeneracy of the woke corporate far left

[astudent]

I listened and thought very carefully about the points you make here. I have to say I disagree. Firstly, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with having a political leaning if he is saying the truth, and he is certainly still giving the other side a voice. Take your "anti-vax" impression of him for example. He's not anti-vax, just anti-covid vaccinations, and his views were based on careful discussion with professionals in field such as Dr. Jensen, Ridley, and Doidge. You may think it's fringe and the vaccine is safe, but you may also be biomedically uninformed. Which brings me to another point, I think you're failing to see that his collaboration with others is the third act. Indeed he has said what he came to say; there is only so much for one man to say. But inviting others to his podcast enriches his message. Maybe after hearing his conversations with Heather MacDonald and detransitioner Chloe Cole, you'll understand his righteous anger towards transitioning children and the sexual perversion of schools. Peoples ideas differ and you may not agree with me, regardless, I still really enjoy your channel.

[Deepfake]

"sanctimonious butchers" is exactly what they are and that is still putting it mildly.

[EmmeMck]

You seem to positively assign the label of contrarian then complain that he critiques, climate alarmism, covid vaccine mandates, trans ideology/children and Liberal tyranny.

While I agree he's lost a few steps and isn't what he was, you seem to be more annoyed he's against ideas you support

[furtim]

12:56 - I disagree with this statement. Peterson has, absolutely, distinguished multiple times between "activists"' and any random trans person, not least be interviewing, sharing panels, and being interviewed by trans people in which he treats them and distinguishes them from the "activists".

[richardlee]

I don't think there's been a decline so much as an understandable response to a series of life shaking events that would send many to their knees.

A sudden rise to fame, being constantly slandered and misrepresented, a series of 'gotcha' interviews, serious illness for both himself and his immediate loved ones... And he STILL remains optimistic about the future.

I think JP has been through a lot, but if anything, his experiences only leave him more capable of speaking to those in low places. A man I seriously respect for his sheer resilience.

[britasha]

a "Old man yells at cloud" sort of feeling.

He was never perfect, but he was pretty great. I hope he gets back on track.

[peace-yvqd]

Jordan Peterson is one of few voices of reason in these crazy times. I' stand and support him despite his very human flaws.

[hemig]

People like Jordan are meant to get you to ask questions

He like everyone else are flawed and shouldn't be the be all, end all

For me, I'm really thankful to dr Peterson. He helped me understand myself better and I cannot thank him enough for that

Edit: for those of you who the feel the overwhelming urge to mention every terrible thing JP has done or said, you've missed the whole point of my comment

You should focus on your own happiness and that of the people you care about the most. Getting into petty squabbles on the internet because you have to be 'right' is going to be a waste of your time and before you realise you don't have a lot of it, it'll be too late

[kennyg]

This is better writing than the typical hit piece.

[ronbr]

Totally disagree with the contention he'd declined. Just changed and evolved his method of messaging. This man will be revered when people wise up.

[skrmsp]

Personally, I know two persons including myself who changed their lives after reading his books and lectures. He opened the door to so many avenue of thinking that I was unaware of, and it is my belief that a friend of mine who eventually committed suicide wouldn't have done so if I was just brave enough and held together enough to reach out and told him to watch Peterson's videos like I did in my dark times. Years after I got better and got my life in order, I met him in his lecture event in 2022. I cant explain it exactly other than he does really care about people he meet. Its active effort in his part to put people at ease. From various interviews I've watched, he usually breaks down in tears specifically this part of conversation. I think what really put burden on him is unnecessary pain people go through in society at this time. Even though he treated people with despair and mental illness for two decades, I dont think that prepared him at all of the level of despair on this scale. I think thats what really damaged him considering that is the part where he often breaks down in tears talking about it. He is a great net positive to the world, and I dont think its fair to burden him to carry that role. What, sadly, would happen is that in the absense of that role, someone else will fill it, and ones who fill it wont do better job realistically, such examples as the manosphere pollbearers.

[DrNDJas]

He began as a professor giving lectures in class at a university in Toronto. He was thrust into the role of global celebrity/saint/demon in a matter of a few years. I would not say he's declined. He's had to change due to the change in his life. Anyone would have to adapt, evolve, and grow with the pressures and scrutiny of the world from all angles. I mean, this very video is a testament of the attention he has received and how he has had to change his life. I think "decline" is a very loaded and biased way to frame his adaption. He's had a lot of challenges and has persevered quite admirably amidst it all.

[tableshaper]

I think his mental and physical health has had the most impact. Peterson could easily become relevant again but has had to step back for health and family reasons, it took a huge toll on him and his family putting themselves out like that.