Stand up Straight and Don’t Compare Yourself to Lobsters: A Lighthearted Look at Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life
Inspiration is drawn from 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson during 2018.
The Remarkable Journey of Jordan B. Peterson: From Academia to Bestselling Author
“Chaos, the eternal feminine, is also the crushing force of sexual selection.” – Jordan B. Peterson
Dissecting ’12 Rules for Life’: A Guide through Chaos with Religion, Mythology, and Psychology
Jordan B. Peterson rose from relative obscurity as a psychology professor at the University of Toronto to become an acclaimed author and speaker after posting a controversial YouTube video criticizing political correctness in 2016. His 2018 book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos aims to provide guidance for lost individuals struggling to find meaning, drawing on Peterson’s backgrounds in mythology, religion, and psychology.
While often serious in tone, Peterson inserts wry humor and absurd metaphors into his rules for life, such as comparing human hierarchies to those of lobsters. This post will analyze Peterson’s 12 rules through a satirical lens, exploring the thought-provoking ideas within while injecting some playful critiques.
The 12 Rules: A Satirical Analysis
Rule 1 – Stand up straight with your shoulders straight
Peterson kicks off his advice for standing tall in a chaotic world by discussing…lobster physiology? Yes, he draws parallels between humans and our crustacean cousins, arguing that serotonin levels impact status in both species. So stand up straight with your shoulders back to impress potential mates, unless you want your life spiraling into depression and misery.
After all, we must heroically face suffering and take on burdens to strengthen our character, following the masculine archetypes of Order while avoiding the seductive but destructive hands of the feminine Chaos. Now go clean your room, bucko.
Rule 2 – Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping
According to Peterson, we are all born sinners who must seek redemption. Self-care enables personal responsibility, so make your bed, eat veggies, and always pet cats. But don’t become arrogant – your virtues merely counterbalance your flaws.
Rule 3 – Befriend people who want the best for you
Choose friends wisely, avoiding those who will drag you down to depths of resentment described vividly in Dostoyevsky novels. Cherish those who bring out your best self. Just make sure they don’t upstage you, or competition may brew.
Rule 4 – Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not the useless person you are today.
We all seek meaning through self-improvement. But beware unfavorable comparisons, lest your resentment leads to the Dark Side. While faith provides direction for some, atheists like Nietzsche instruct us to create our own values. So whether God or the Übermensch stirs you, build incrementally off yesterday’s version of yourself.
Rule 5 – Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them
Spare the rod and spoil the child, right? Not so fast. Balance compassion with discipline in parenting, as studies show physical punishment backfires. Set boundaries, but also set an example of humanity – because Lord knows keeping up with youths today is chaotic enough without getting morality police involved.
Rule 6 – Set your house in order before you criticize the world
Cain and Abel: A Biblical Perspective on Personal Responsibility in Rule 6
Just as Cain displaced his envy into murderous rage towards Abel, we often project our discontent outwards. But like the phrase “clean your room” suggests, change starts within. So confront your inner demons and resentments before railing against wider injustices.
Rule 7 – Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient
Life’s Suffering and the Nietzschean Search for Meaning: Insights into Rule 7
Life is suffering, as Buddha said. In a godless world, to endure we must each find purpose, not just pursue fleeting pleasure. Shortcuts like ideologies, drugs, or Authoritarianism lead to ruins, so follow your bliss – just don’t become insufferable about it.
Rule 8 – Tell the truth. Or at least don’t lie
The Role of Honesty in Personal Development: Exploring the Depth of Rule 8
Honesty facilitates personal growth and health. But bending the truth occasionally oils social interactions. So speak your truth, but with compassion. As they say, honesty without humanity is brutality.
Rule 9 – Assume the person you are listening to knows something you don’t
Embracing Humility in Learning: The Core of Rule 9
Stay humble and open-minded when encountering other views. As Socrates said, “I know that I know nothing.” Listen first, then build mutual understanding – or at least avoid unnecessary conflict.
Rule 10 – Be precise in your speech
Navigating Life’s Chaos with Clarity: The Significance of Rule 10
Chaos is ever-present, but we can confront it through clear communication. So measure your words. Yet recognize that even heroes like Oedipus were doomed, so accept imperfection.
Rule 11 – Do not bother children while they are skateboarding
Gender Roles and Societal Expectations: Interpreting Rule 11’s Message
Peterson laments the restraints society places on natural masculinity. Yet across history, expectations limited both genders. Rather than battle “chaotic” change, work with youths to build a new world that nurtures all.
Rule 12 – Pet a cat when you encounter one in the street
Finding Joy in the Small Things: The Essence of Rule 12
Life contains suffering, yes, but don’t let it override joy. Appreciate the small feline moments amidst the churning chaos. For in the end, it is community and love that give existence meaning.
Conclusion
While Peterson’s archetypal worldview proves controversial, he taps into myths and traditions to provide guidance for personal growth amidst modern anxiety. But rather than completely submitting to Order, we can inject humanity into even the most serious rules.
Facing the universe’s cold indifference need not mean resignation – we can also find warmth through humor. Times change, but our core struggles remain. So stand up straight, be precise in speech, and occasionally pet cats in the street.
What rules for life resonate with you? How do we balance order and chaos? Let’s have a thoughtful discussion and help uplift one another. We each contain multitudes – darkness and light, flaws and talents. So treat yourself and others with compassion. That’s an antidote we need now more than ever.
