Christopher Owens ✒ 3Arena, Dublin. 11-September-2022.


Psychologist. Lecturer. Author. Commentator. Charlatan. Transphobe. Incel enabler. Evil.

Some of the many terms that have been used to describe Canada’s Dr. Jordan Peterson. Alongside Jeremy Corbyn and Donald Trump, Peterson is one of the most polarising figures of the last few years. First coming to mainstream prominence in a now infamous Channel 4 interview with Cathy Newman he has become an academic that the average person on the street can name.

I wrote a piece a few years ago about how the news about his near death was met with glee among some who claim to care about male suicides. Go figure.

♜ ♞ 

With a 13,000 capacity, the 3Arena bears little resemblance to the old Point. Very much a modern, gleaming arena that could be placed in any major city, it is somewhat odd thinking that we will be witnessing a lecture taking place instead of a concert. However, with the place nearly at full capacity, it is clear that not only is this the correct place to hold such an event (which is impressive considering Garth Brooks is playing in Croke Park the same night), but it also demonstrates that the fascination with Peterson remains at fever pitch.

The demographics of the crowd are interesting to note. While the ratio is comfortably in favour of men (60 to 40), there are an awful lot of couples attending tonight’s show. There are also multiple ethnicities present and various languages can be overheard in the foyer and the arena itself. Of course, there are the stereotypical Peterson fans on show as well (dressed in suits, resembling American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman) but it’s a far more diverse crowd than some would care to imagine.

Thanks to Daniela Andersson for the photo

Introduced by his wife Tammy (who claims that her grandmother was from Belfast), Peterson takes to the stage and does a good job of appearing humble in the face of over 12,000 people cheering. Stating that he was glad to be back in Dublin, noting the good times that he’s had in the city over the years, he gets straight down to business by riffing on some of the rules he's listed in his books such as 'Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Responsible for Helping', 'Compare Yourself to Who You Were Yesterday, Not Who Someone Else is Today' and 'Pursue What is Meaningful (Not What is Expedient)'.

Admittedly, it's nothing that anyone familiar with Peterson’s lectures wouldn't be familiar with. But his delivery and the reverence on display was something else. He spoke of the importance of play not only for young children, but also how we as adults need to regain that wide eyed wonder and sense of fearless in order to not only better ourselves but also create a better society. There was also the discussion about how order and chaos are necessary when balanced out, as too much order creates tyranny and too much chaos creates nihilism. Finally, he delved further into the concept of nihilism and how it is actually a cheap substitute for experience and how we can create something beautiful out of nihilism. Here, he used the example of punk rock to illustrate his point, citing how the likes of the Sex Pistols would have nihilistic lyrics but the music would be upbeat and energetic which then led to crowds (such as skinheads) partaking in moshpits and slamming each other, but always with a smile on their faces. Because it was them playing.

Thanks to Michael Baskin for the photo

Obviously, I’m surmising a two-hour lecture so it’s impossible to depict all of the various topics, avenues and one liners discussed. But trust me, Peterson is a master at holding your attention and being able to depict complex beliefs into short, succinct monologues. Part of his trick is his voice (once described, jokingly, as sounding like Kermit the Frog), which veers between warmth, sternness, and passionate denouncement. Combine this with the tough, but positive, message that he brings, and it becomes clear why the man can inspire passion and devotion among his followers. Sure, some will say that his message is very basic and uncontroversial. But seeing how much he resonates among younger men, that's not a bad thing.

There are moments where those who view him as some kind of alt-right incel ideologue (despite his explicit rejection of incels throughout his career and tonight’s show) could cherry pick statements and frame him. One such example is, when discussing the importance of play, the anecdote about his son wearing girl’s costumes (at the age of 2). Peterson admits that he initially viewed such activities in somewhat of a negative light. However, he admitted that he quickly realised that such an attitude was the wrong one to take, not only because it was just play but because his son was playing at being a girl. Hence, he would be able to relate to and understand girls as fellow people in later life.

Little things like that will undoubtedly be ignored by some.

♜ ♞ 

Once the lecture is over, his wife Tammy comes back out and reads out a few questions that had been sent in. The first one asks about his thoughts on a united Ireland (and Tammy’s amusing pronunciation of “Sin Fein”), which he ducks (although his comment that it should be done without any tyranny and in the spirit of fairness goes down well). Two more follow about the modern left and Cristiano Ronaldo, before closing with a discussion of how he had to stop drinking due to it not working for him.

Undoubtedly a night for the faithful, but the strong crowd and reception demonstrates that Peterson’s messages about fulfilling your potential has caught the imagination of those who look at our modern world and feel unfulfilled. Those who continue to view him through a negative lens will not have taken anything from tonight’s show, but the fact that they have such a heavily degraded view of him will only galvanise his defenders.

Maybe nothing was solved tonight, but it was better than anything Garth Brooks could offer.

⏩ Christopher Owens was a reviewer for Metal Ireland and finds time to study the history and inherent contradictions of Ireland. He is currently the TPQ Friday columnist. 

Jordan Peterson ✑ Live

Christopher Owens ✒ 3Arena, Dublin. 11-September-2022.


Psychologist. Lecturer. Author. Commentator. Charlatan. Transphobe. Incel enabler. Evil.

Some of the many terms that have been used to describe Canada’s Dr. Jordan Peterson. Alongside Jeremy Corbyn and Donald Trump, Peterson is one of the most polarising figures of the last few years. First coming to mainstream prominence in a now infamous Channel 4 interview with Cathy Newman he has become an academic that the average person on the street can name.

I wrote a piece a few years ago about how the news about his near death was met with glee among some who claim to care about male suicides. Go figure.

♜ ♞ 

With a 13,000 capacity, the 3Arena bears little resemblance to the old Point. Very much a modern, gleaming arena that could be placed in any major city, it is somewhat odd thinking that we will be witnessing a lecture taking place instead of a concert. However, with the place nearly at full capacity, it is clear that not only is this the correct place to hold such an event (which is impressive considering Garth Brooks is playing in Croke Park the same night), but it also demonstrates that the fascination with Peterson remains at fever pitch.

The demographics of the crowd are interesting to note. While the ratio is comfortably in favour of men (60 to 40), there are an awful lot of couples attending tonight’s show. There are also multiple ethnicities present and various languages can be overheard in the foyer and the arena itself. Of course, there are the stereotypical Peterson fans on show as well (dressed in suits, resembling American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman) but it’s a far more diverse crowd than some would care to imagine.

Thanks to Daniela Andersson for the photo

Introduced by his wife Tammy (who claims that her grandmother was from Belfast), Peterson takes to the stage and does a good job of appearing humble in the face of over 12,000 people cheering. Stating that he was glad to be back in Dublin, noting the good times that he’s had in the city over the years, he gets straight down to business by riffing on some of the rules he's listed in his books such as 'Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Responsible for Helping', 'Compare Yourself to Who You Were Yesterday, Not Who Someone Else is Today' and 'Pursue What is Meaningful (Not What is Expedient)'.

Admittedly, it's nothing that anyone familiar with Peterson’s lectures wouldn't be familiar with. But his delivery and the reverence on display was something else. He spoke of the importance of play not only for young children, but also how we as adults need to regain that wide eyed wonder and sense of fearless in order to not only better ourselves but also create a better society. There was also the discussion about how order and chaos are necessary when balanced out, as too much order creates tyranny and too much chaos creates nihilism. Finally, he delved further into the concept of nihilism and how it is actually a cheap substitute for experience and how we can create something beautiful out of nihilism. Here, he used the example of punk rock to illustrate his point, citing how the likes of the Sex Pistols would have nihilistic lyrics but the music would be upbeat and energetic which then led to crowds (such as skinheads) partaking in moshpits and slamming each other, but always with a smile on their faces. Because it was them playing.

Thanks to Michael Baskin for the photo

Obviously, I’m surmising a two-hour lecture so it’s impossible to depict all of the various topics, avenues and one liners discussed. But trust me, Peterson is a master at holding your attention and being able to depict complex beliefs into short, succinct monologues. Part of his trick is his voice (once described, jokingly, as sounding like Kermit the Frog), which veers between warmth, sternness, and passionate denouncement. Combine this with the tough, but positive, message that he brings, and it becomes clear why the man can inspire passion and devotion among his followers. Sure, some will say that his message is very basic and uncontroversial. But seeing how much he resonates among younger men, that's not a bad thing.

There are moments where those who view him as some kind of alt-right incel ideologue (despite his explicit rejection of incels throughout his career and tonight’s show) could cherry pick statements and frame him. One such example is, when discussing the importance of play, the anecdote about his son wearing girl’s costumes (at the age of 2). Peterson admits that he initially viewed such activities in somewhat of a negative light. However, he admitted that he quickly realised that such an attitude was the wrong one to take, not only because it was just play but because his son was playing at being a girl. Hence, he would be able to relate to and understand girls as fellow people in later life.

Little things like that will undoubtedly be ignored by some.

♜ ♞ 

Once the lecture is over, his wife Tammy comes back out and reads out a few questions that had been sent in. The first one asks about his thoughts on a united Ireland (and Tammy’s amusing pronunciation of “Sin Fein”), which he ducks (although his comment that it should be done without any tyranny and in the spirit of fairness goes down well). Two more follow about the modern left and Cristiano Ronaldo, before closing with a discussion of how he had to stop drinking due to it not working for him.

Undoubtedly a night for the faithful, but the strong crowd and reception demonstrates that Peterson’s messages about fulfilling your potential has caught the imagination of those who look at our modern world and feel unfulfilled. Those who continue to view him through a negative lens will not have taken anything from tonight’s show, but the fact that they have such a heavily degraded view of him will only galvanise his defenders.

Maybe nothing was solved tonight, but it was better than anything Garth Brooks could offer.

⏩ Christopher Owens was a reviewer for Metal Ireland and finds time to study the history and inherent contradictions of Ireland. He is currently the TPQ Friday columnist. 

5 comments:

  1. Thanks Chris.
    Though I don't agree with all Peterson's positions I do acknowledge and value his contributions in the public sphere. Sounds as if you enjoyed the evening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Henry JoY,

      I'm on the same page as yourself re. Peterson. I do appreciate that he has brought a certain level of intellectual curiosity back into mainstream thinking, which can only be a good thing.

      It certainly was an enjoyable evening. There's always a big difference between consuming a lecture on YouTube and witnessing it in person.

      Delete
    2. Have never paid enough attention to him to grasp his points but from what I do get I would share your take on this.

      Delete
  2. Christopher - more fine stuff. The best music comes from a range of notes rather than the one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been reading and listening to him for a few years now. He's got great advice but jesus he can beat the fuck out of a dead horse to make a point. My wife can talk the arse off a dead camel but Peterson takes gold in the loquacious stakes. It would be naff if he was smelling his own farts but he's genuine and clearly a deep thinker. Anthony give him a read, I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete