Jordan Peterson is a perfect example of the strange era we live in. You no longer need a network, a studio, or a spot on late night television to build a massive audience. If you have the right look, the right credentials, and the right kind of entertaining intensity, you can turn yourself into a one man media empire. Peterson did exactly that. He became a global personality with more viewers than many of the old legends who used to dominate television.
He has an extraordinary mind. His IQ is obviously high. His memory is intense. He carries an unbelievable amount of information in his head and he speaks quickly and confidently about psychology, mythology, politics, and philosophy. He also brings his experience as a clinical psychologist, which gives him a certain authority. Add some academic snobbery, strong debating skills, and a whole lot of ego, and you get the Jordan Peterson formula.
I do not pretend to know more about technical psychology than he does. He is clearly more educated in that department. But when I listen to him he does not really say anything new to me about the mind. His approach always feels intense and aggressive as if every sentence is a wrestling match. In some ways he reminds me of myself, but the difference is that I never went to school to learn how to sit quietly while people talk about their problems. He did, yet he often forgets that part. He talks more than he listens. Even in interviews where he is supposed to guide people, he dominates the conversation. It feels amateur for someone with his background, but it also makes sense because he did not train to be an entertainer. He is simply being himself.
I find him entertaining and also confusing. He shows up in outfits that feel like the Willy Wonka version of psychotherapy. To me that signals someone who is extremely self conscious. That is a personality style, not a crime, but it is not a vibe I enjoy. He is wound up tight. He breaks apart every word in a debate. He turns simple questions into long detours about the meaning of the question instead of answering directly. You can ask him something like, do you think childhood shapes adult behavior, and instead of answering, he will start with what do you mean by you, what do you mean by shapes, what do you mean by behavior. It is a manipulative tactic that avoids clarity. He does this especially when people ask him about his faith.
Over time he turned himself into a celebrity psychologist, and that kind of fame attracts critics. Many people have made debunking videos about him, and honestly he needed to be challenged. No one should walk around as if they are the final authority on every topic. Some of the videos of him debating atheists or arguing with college students are tough to watch because he gets torn apart by people who are not impressed by his tricks and do not let him run from the actual points. It forces him to face his own contradictions.
I think he is brilliant. I think he has a lot of knowledge. I also think he could help people if he dropped the conflict and focused on direct guidance instead of drowning everything in twenty layers of word salad. When someone builds a following as big as his, with millions of subscribers and endless interviews, it becomes hard to hold onto humility. Anyone in that position risks getting lost in their own success.
If someone asked me whether they should listen to him, I would probably say no. Not because he is wrong all the time, but because his style is exhausting. There is too much noise and not enough clarity. There is too much performance and not enough peace. I do not find the sound of his voice relaxing and the whole thing feels more like theatre than wisdom.
Jordan Peterson is a fascinating figure, but if you are looking for real help, I think there are better places to spend your time.