Thank you for grappling with and sharing about your relationship to this complicated human and his thoughts/ actions (Mr. Peterson). I am exhausted by dismissals of fellow humans by other fellow humans. We are all a mix of brilliance and shite. I find this thought comforting not distancing as I navigate the world. I can appreciate folks for their differences, enjoy some aspects, find others distasteful, 100% support their right to say what they need to say, but also know that I don’t need to invite them for Sunday dinner. You might enjoy “The Anomaly” by Hervé Le Tellier. The ultimate opportunity to engage with one’s complex humanity. Your optimism and engagement with our world teaches me something every week. And ya do it w humor--the most important virtue!
Thank you for the book recommendation A! I have put it in on my library holds list and will let you know when I get it.
Also thank you for your kind words. I am happy you find the newsletter funny. I agree humor is a virtue! I've had a lot of meditation teachers, for example, but I really only trust the ones who make me laugh.
Is there anything more exciting than giving a book recommendation...and then that person Actually reads it?! As for the book it jazzed me bcse I can’t walk down the street and take a left without my other self taking that right to go live some other version of my life. Yeah, we are multitudes! So glad you enjoyed da book!
A beautiful morning today and when I setttled back after tennis I noted the topic of the day in one of my FAVORITE Newsletters is Jordan Peterson. One of the stellar features of the Cafe is a mixture of things every week! The goldfish pond is awesome. The owner is not full of himself yet has done something special. What do you feed them? Goldfish food.
We also got a window into our author's soul. I think a snapshot of the books that merit display can be informing. I was GLAD to see Walter Isaacson on Franklin. I also think if someone can inspire you to read the Gulag Archipelago they are having an impact.
While I seem to have an opinion about many things, Mr. Peterson is simply not a fully formed opinion yet. For a while I was liking Sam Harris but have backed off. Hearing the two of them at the same time seemed too much like medieval jousting.
A GREAT author gets us to laugh AND think about stuff. Bravo.
Funny you noticed Ben Franklin. He is another person I admire and enjoy and relate to and also have a lot of problems with! I once joined a Ben Franklin circle at the local library. Are you familiar with these? You and the other folks the circle discuss and try to adopt his 13 virtues. But I thought some of his "virtues" were really terrible ideas.
We've talked about Sam Harris before, and how he may be a bot. ANOTHER person I have a hard time with and also sort of love and cannot stop listening to.
And yes I listened to the Peterson/Harris discussion as well and agree with your assessment. It would have been a lot more fun if they'd been trying to explore the territory together. It was some good territory!
Lots of history books in the rearview mirror. Franklin was so odd, so different, but a rockstar! My favorite was his swimming around the ship and measuring temperature on trips to and from Europe. He is credited with charting the gulf stream! I have images of him bobbing in the ocean in pantaloons.
I immediately thought of your bot comment and it has largely ruined Sam Harris for me :)
Here is as much as I will say about Peterson as I'm not sure what I think. The Bible pretty much got locked down for almost 1500 years by forces in organized Christianity. A guy like Peterson who actually digs in cannot help but have some insights. The immunity from progress in any endeavor, especially in the last 1500 years amidst crazy progress has to end it with some serious gaps.
IN RE: Franklin Circles -- No but I was all-in using a Franklin Day-Planner when that was a thing. Long since just get along with my priorities. I would probably ENJOY the vibe of the Circles b/c lots of different people perspective. In mid-career I did a major job for the Treasury Dept and lots of travel to Philadelphia. The Mint was across from Franklin's grave at 5th and Arch and took in the museums and the institute & Independence Hall. Franklin was awesome with lots of defects.
PS What I did not put in story was all the wonderful conversations I had along the way with the folks I met that had nothing to do with Jordan Peterson. About the Koran, internet addiction, therapy, writing, music, habits, methods for quitting smoking, Canada and power dynamics. New Yorkers are the BEST>
Enjoyed the goldfish story, not so much Jordan Peterson being highlighted. He's transphobic, misogynistic, anti-feminist, and while he may deny being part of the alt-right, he's still cited by many of them. A study on the YouTube algorithm found his videos to be the gateway to further radicalization, some eventually becoming incels. Maybe he was fine a decade ago but he's no longer that person.
I hope you're wrong about him no longer being that person Jenn. But I have to admit that when I scroll through his podcast topics these days I often feel like, no, no, no, no, no.
The "Malcolm Gladwell"-level of fame that you've aspired to is very relatable! Small-town fame. The idea of being well-known and renowned for having ideas that resonate deeply with other people is a fantasy of mine as well. I do think that even stronger than this desire is the fear, as you put it, that "You can’t control what you get famous for, or how people see you."
I was once the lead in the school play in high school, and the night our last show ended, I distinctly remember thinking, "this is the most famous I'll ever be." I've been trying to remember and savor that lately, because I don't think I actually want any more than what I had in that brief moment.
“Achilles had his heel, Anne has her tolerance of Jordan Peterson.” this cracked me up.
I understand the allure of some of his ideas. I liked him when I first heard him. But the more of his ideas I read and the more he kept putting his foot in it, I stopped listening. I now actively dislike him.
I've felt for some time now that he purposely says things in a way that is easily misinterpreted with the intent of creating controversy. Which is fine if you want to get famous that way. But then he cries about the negative responses and how everyone twists his words. I don't believe that's the case and I don't have any time or respect for that.
Either way, this, like all the other posts was a fun read!
You noticed! Yep, I started organizing by color about 15 years ago. I think it was sort of trend back then. It makes a big difference in how your bookshelf looks!
I had no idea who Jordan Peterson is until now--thanks Anne! And unlike some readers, I enjoy learning about people I may or may not like or agree with.
Here's what I liked about today's post: Frank's goldfish, Frank's reaction to your comment on Red Hook (which is probably why he declined the photo), your inclusion of allllll the opinions on Jordan Peterson, and your ability to recognize that people are individually interesting and to celebrate that. Thanks for yet another fabulous read!
Don’t really like conservative commentators or the like being given airtime or attention. I’ve been a huge fan of your other content, but this post has pushed me to unsubscribe.
This post was great, and hilarious—I was reading it out loud to my husband. Jordan Peterson... oy yoy yoy. I read about him years ago when he started stirring up shit about not respecting people's choice of pronoun. And whatever I read—don't ask me to remember what it was—had me so outraged that I've avoided anything about JP ever since. In whatever I read, he was espousing some dark-ages-style misogynistic bullshit that I could not abide by. So, you go ahead and enjoy him, but I'm going to continue to steer clear!
Wow! A lot to contemplate this week. I think that Frank was more worthy of an in-depth story than Mr. Peterson. And Frank will most likely be known and remembered (fondly) by more people than Peterson. As for seeking fame, Shakespeare (he's famous!) through his character, MacBeth (famous, too!), says it best:
I am sure you are right about Frank the goldfish man, but as I noted in another comment above, he is a lot less chatty than Jordan Peterson. :)
I am also sure you and Shakespeare are right about fame. Unfortunately craving attention and recognition seems to be one of those modes of thinking that, like envy and greed, are painful and also hard to control.
Another reader wrote to me earlier today to wish me luck in my wish to not wish to be famous. I thought that was sweet!
A Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for millions last week. Your next survey should ask people under 30 if they know who he is. Besides, you are famous right now. So your wish won't come true.
With 160 subscribers (and surely more by now) I believe you are well on your way to a Malcolm Gladwell fame level, at least in the tri-state area! xoxo
Haha thanks William! I'll have to decide on a subscription number benchmark metric advance so I know when I've made it to MG fame status. Otherwise how will I know?
I also appreciate Jordan Peterson & his ponderings, & just heard of him a few years ago. I love that he has a backbone, & isn’t afraid to talk about marriage & society. To me, the fact that he struggled with tranquilizers just goes to show he’s human like the rest of us, & we all have our “dark nights of the soul” to go through. How else would we keep learning & becoming better humans? I have a blog as well…Life Lessons From Abroad if you’re interested, my most-read post: https://emilyml.substack.com/p/daring-to-jump
Thank you for grappling with and sharing about your relationship to this complicated human and his thoughts/ actions (Mr. Peterson). I am exhausted by dismissals of fellow humans by other fellow humans. We are all a mix of brilliance and shite. I find this thought comforting not distancing as I navigate the world. I can appreciate folks for their differences, enjoy some aspects, find others distasteful, 100% support their right to say what they need to say, but also know that I don’t need to invite them for Sunday dinner. You might enjoy “The Anomaly” by Hervé Le Tellier. The ultimate opportunity to engage with one’s complex humanity. Your optimism and engagement with our world teaches me something every week. And ya do it w humor--the most important virtue!
Thank you for the book recommendation A! I have put it in on my library holds list and will let you know when I get it.
Also thank you for your kind words. I am happy you find the newsletter funny. I agree humor is a virtue! I've had a lot of meditation teachers, for example, but I really only trust the ones who make me laugh.
Update: I borrowed "The Anomaly" from the library and just finished it, A. Wow what a fantastic read! Thanks for the recco!
Is there anything more exciting than giving a book recommendation...and then that person Actually reads it?! As for the book it jazzed me bcse I can’t walk down the street and take a left without my other self taking that right to go live some other version of my life. Yeah, we are multitudes! So glad you enjoyed da book!
A beautiful morning today and when I setttled back after tennis I noted the topic of the day in one of my FAVORITE Newsletters is Jordan Peterson. One of the stellar features of the Cafe is a mixture of things every week! The goldfish pond is awesome. The owner is not full of himself yet has done something special. What do you feed them? Goldfish food.
We also got a window into our author's soul. I think a snapshot of the books that merit display can be informing. I was GLAD to see Walter Isaacson on Franklin. I also think if someone can inspire you to read the Gulag Archipelago they are having an impact.
While I seem to have an opinion about many things, Mr. Peterson is simply not a fully formed opinion yet. For a while I was liking Sam Harris but have backed off. Hearing the two of them at the same time seemed too much like medieval jousting.
A GREAT author gets us to laugh AND think about stuff. Bravo.
Funny you noticed Ben Franklin. He is another person I admire and enjoy and relate to and also have a lot of problems with! I once joined a Ben Franklin circle at the local library. Are you familiar with these? You and the other folks the circle discuss and try to adopt his 13 virtues. But I thought some of his "virtues" were really terrible ideas.
We've talked about Sam Harris before, and how he may be a bot. ANOTHER person I have a hard time with and also sort of love and cannot stop listening to.
And yes I listened to the Peterson/Harris discussion as well and agree with your assessment. It would have been a lot more fun if they'd been trying to explore the territory together. It was some good territory!
Lots of history books in the rearview mirror. Franklin was so odd, so different, but a rockstar! My favorite was his swimming around the ship and measuring temperature on trips to and from Europe. He is credited with charting the gulf stream! I have images of him bobbing in the ocean in pantaloons.
I immediately thought of your bot comment and it has largely ruined Sam Harris for me :)
Here is as much as I will say about Peterson as I'm not sure what I think. The Bible pretty much got locked down for almost 1500 years by forces in organized Christianity. A guy like Peterson who actually digs in cannot help but have some insights. The immunity from progress in any endeavor, especially in the last 1500 years amidst crazy progress has to end it with some serious gaps.
The Cafe is GREAT.
IN RE: Franklin Circles -- No but I was all-in using a Franklin Day-Planner when that was a thing. Long since just get along with my priorities. I would probably ENJOY the vibe of the Circles b/c lots of different people perspective. In mid-career I did a major job for the Treasury Dept and lots of travel to Philadelphia. The Mint was across from Franklin's grave at 5th and Arch and took in the museums and the institute & Independence Hall. Franklin was awesome with lots of defects.
Maybe the real funny, good-natured Jordan Peterson was the people you interviewed along the way!
Awww I like that idea!
PS What I did not put in story was all the wonderful conversations I had along the way with the folks I met that had nothing to do with Jordan Peterson. About the Koran, internet addiction, therapy, writing, music, habits, methods for quitting smoking, Canada and power dynamics. New Yorkers are the BEST>
Enjoyed the goldfish story, not so much Jordan Peterson being highlighted. He's transphobic, misogynistic, anti-feminist, and while he may deny being part of the alt-right, he's still cited by many of them. A study on the YouTube algorithm found his videos to be the gateway to further radicalization, some eventually becoming incels. Maybe he was fine a decade ago but he's no longer that person.
I hope you're wrong about him no longer being that person Jenn. But I have to admit that when I scroll through his podcast topics these days I often feel like, no, no, no, no, no.
The "Malcolm Gladwell"-level of fame that you've aspired to is very relatable! Small-town fame. The idea of being well-known and renowned for having ideas that resonate deeply with other people is a fantasy of mine as well. I do think that even stronger than this desire is the fear, as you put it, that "You can’t control what you get famous for, or how people see you."
I was once the lead in the school play in high school, and the night our last show ended, I distinctly remember thinking, "this is the most famous I'll ever be." I've been trying to remember and savor that lately, because I don't think I actually want any more than what I had in that brief moment.
That is a sweet story, Melanie. I love that you had that experience and feel that way now!
“Achilles had his heel, Anne has her tolerance of Jordan Peterson.” this cracked me up.
I understand the allure of some of his ideas. I liked him when I first heard him. But the more of his ideas I read and the more he kept putting his foot in it, I stopped listening. I now actively dislike him.
I've felt for some time now that he purposely says things in a way that is easily misinterpreted with the intent of creating controversy. Which is fine if you want to get famous that way. But then he cries about the negative responses and how everyone twists his words. I don't believe that's the case and I don't have any time or respect for that.
Either way, this, like all the other posts was a fun read!
Colin, you really nailed another aspect of the situation that I sort of intuited but not put into words, so that you for this comment!
Glad you found the issue fun. I had a lot of fun writing it!
The goldfish pond--just priceless New York. And kudos on the color-coded bookshelf!
You noticed! Yep, I started organizing by color about 15 years ago. I think it was sort of trend back then. It makes a big difference in how your bookshelf looks!
Friends in Seattle had their color-coded. Looked very cool. Mine's a mess.
I had no idea who Jordan Peterson is until now--thanks Anne! And unlike some readers, I enjoy learning about people I may or may not like or agree with.
Here's what I liked about today's post: Frank's goldfish, Frank's reaction to your comment on Red Hook (which is probably why he declined the photo), your inclusion of allllll the opinions on Jordan Peterson, and your ability to recognize that people are individually interesting and to celebrate that. Thanks for yet another fabulous read!
Thank you Holly! I'd have liked to included more Frank, but unlike Mr. Peterson, he isn't much of a talker.
Don’t really like conservative commentators or the like being given airtime or attention. I’ve been a huge fan of your other content, but this post has pushed me to unsubscribe.
Awww I'm sorry to see you go Blake! Hope you return someday!!
This post was great, and hilarious—I was reading it out loud to my husband. Jordan Peterson... oy yoy yoy. I read about him years ago when he started stirring up shit about not respecting people's choice of pronoun. And whatever I read—don't ask me to remember what it was—had me so outraged that I've avoided anything about JP ever since. In whatever I read, he was espousing some dark-ages-style misogynistic bullshit that I could not abide by. So, you go ahead and enjoy him, but I'm going to continue to steer clear!
LOL. I hear you!
Wow! A lot to contemplate this week. I think that Frank was more worthy of an in-depth story than Mr. Peterson. And Frank will most likely be known and remembered (fondly) by more people than Peterson. As for seeking fame, Shakespeare (he's famous!) through his character, MacBeth (famous, too!), says it best:
“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty deaths. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
JRB!
I am sure you are right about Frank the goldfish man, but as I noted in another comment above, he is a lot less chatty than Jordan Peterson. :)
I am also sure you and Shakespeare are right about fame. Unfortunately craving attention and recognition seems to be one of those modes of thinking that, like envy and greed, are painful and also hard to control.
Another reader wrote to me earlier today to wish me luck in my wish to not wish to be famous. I thought that was sweet!
A Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for millions last week. Your next survey should ask people under 30 if they know who he is. Besides, you are famous right now. So your wish won't come true.
This makes me so happy Thank u Anne as always for showing me there is hope in this world
Thank you Alex! I am so tickled that this is what you took away from the issue. :)
"Surprise," his wife also has a podcast and her illness is the reason he got addicted to sleeping pills. Only the son (twist!) doesn't have a podcast.
LOL. Why is this so funny? I don't know why. But it IS.
Have you listened to his daughter's podcast? It has "inspired thousands."
No but I have listened to her reading the sponsor ads on her dad's podcast!
With 160 subscribers (and surely more by now) I believe you are well on your way to a Malcolm Gladwell fame level, at least in the tri-state area! xoxo
Haha thanks William! I'll have to decide on a subscription number benchmark metric advance so I know when I've made it to MG fame status. Otherwise how will I know?
I propose 500! Completely arbitrarily! xoxo
I also appreciate Jordan Peterson & his ponderings, & just heard of him a few years ago. I love that he has a backbone, & isn’t afraid to talk about marriage & society. To me, the fact that he struggled with tranquilizers just goes to show he’s human like the rest of us, & we all have our “dark nights of the soul” to go through. How else would we keep learning & becoming better humans? I have a blog as well…Life Lessons From Abroad if you’re interested, my most-read post: https://emilyml.substack.com/p/daring-to-jump
HI Emily, thanks for your kind words. I'll check out your blog for sure!