Articulate your truth or pay the price

Originally circulated on 8 November 2019

Hi fellow Ruminants

This week I have received a few ideas from colleagues which were interesting and thanks a lot for these. I’m still thinking about them. Today I have decided to return to Jordan Petersen who was the subject of a Ruminant Pink  Friday™  about a year ago which I have attached for reference. That was about dominance hierarchies which are pervasive in nature and human society. Today I would like to turn to the views he expressed about articulating your truth. I have referenced a 4 minute video clip which I think is well worth watching and thinking about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj39VL60Hgo . The topic is about whether you should speak up or rather remain quiet. Some soundbites for those of you allergic to videos:

‘So if you are going to stand up for something stand up for your truth. It will shape you. People will respond and object and tell you why you are a fool and a biased moron and why you are ignorant and then if you listen to them you will just be that much less like that the next time you say something and if you do that for five years you will be so dammed tough and articulate and able to communicate and withstand pressure that you won’t even recognise yourself and then you will be a force to be reckoned with’.

He then discusses the alternative of being quiet.

‘Do you want to pay the price for stating your mode of being or do you want to pay the price for being a bloody serf who has enslaved him or herself. That’s a major price man – that thing unfolds over decades and you will just be a miserable worm after about twenty years of that. No power no self-respect, no ability to voice your opinions. Nothing left but resentment’.

Jordan Petersen has gone from an obscure Canadian psychology professor to global celebrity with a cult following. Quite a bizarre thing in its own right and also a bizarre man. I have recently read  his book 12 rules for life  and there is a lot I don’t agree with but at the same time some unconventional thought provoking ideas.

Please keep the submission ideas flowing.

Regards

Bruce