7 Things I Learned at Jordon Peterson’s Beyond Order Tour
I attended Jordon Peterson’s Beyond Order Tour in Victoria BC last night. I booked my ticket immediately after he announced this tour date and convinced my husband to attend. We don’t get out much, so we could justify the $400 VIP ticket price and I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to meet Jordon.
The thing is, when I first came across Jordon Peterson in 2018, I had the impression, like a lot of people, that he was a narrow-minded misogynist. You can read my article about that here. Like many, I was fooled by short video clips designed to make him look like a jerk. I also hadn’t, at the time, fully stepped into my opinions on the political and social front. This was before the massive propaganda storm and the bombardment of a left-leaning political doctrine that entered the matrix around 2019/2020.
I wouldn’t have predicted I would attend one of his shows several years later. Now I listened to and watch much of his content, and I especially enjoy his Marriage series and his round table discussions on Exodus, although I would like to see him incorporate an Anthroposophical perspective into the mix.
I can listen to hours of Dr. Peterson’s lectures while maintaining my enthusiasm and curiosity about what he’ll say next. I believe he is a genuine and kind man who acts with integrity, even when I don’t fully agree with his perspective on certain things such as the desire and necessity to have children. I do have a child by the way. He is an adult and I only have one. I have no desire to have another child and my husband doesn’t have any children. This is a personal choice. I work part-time as an early childhood educator, so there’s that. Maybe that’s how I fill the void.
I have to say, I have mixed feelings about his show last night. There are some things I enjoyed and other things that I would do differently if I was the show coordinator to make it more palatable to everyone in the audience and streamline a more genuine and intimate Meet and Greet experience.
Here are 7 things I learned at Jordon Peterson’s Beyond Order Tour:
1. There Are No Rules. There Is Perception and Fortitude.
As Jordon insinuates in his lectures, create your own path and be more than you think you can be. There are no rules. Create order through discipline and action. It is less of a rule and more of a way of being. Practice patience and perseverance. Something will gain traction and take off, even if it is small successes along the journey we call life. Perception is everything and it can be altered. Have the fortitude to move forward with confidence and be willing to adapt.
2. The Loudest and Most Engaged People in His Audience Were Some of The Shyest During the Photo Op
There was a guy sitting next to me that was clapping and laughing so loud that he stood out from the crowd. He was clearly elated to be there. I noticed when he approached Jordon during the photo op, he put his head down and looked quite nervous. His face was flushed, and I could tell he was a bit flustered. This happens.
Sometimes the most colorful and engaging people I know are quite shy or come off that way. I am one of them. I like to take my time when speaking to people so that I am able to create a genuine connection. When I feel rushed or amidst a large line-up of people, I feel pressured to speak. When time is constrained, the conversation can be shallow. I also think individuals who feel a deep sense of connection to others struggle to decide what they want to say and that can create some anxiety initially. Time is valuable in conversation. That’s why the best podcasts are long-form, like The Joe Rogan Experience.
I would like to point out that the audience was amazing, Everyone I met in the VIP section was kind and excited to be there. I felt at ease with the crowd and believe that everyone felt blessed by the opportunity to spend time with Dr. Peterson.
3. Expectation Can Water Down Your Experience, But It Also Helps You Set Standards
I didn’t have expectations of Jordon Peterson’s Beyond Order lecture. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by some aspects of it. I really liked hearing Tammy Peterson, Jordon’s wife, and partner, talk about her relationship with her son Julian, and I thought her older brother joining her on stage to discuss the importance of community service was a good choice. The guest musician David Cotter was well-played, and Jordon’s stories were interesting and full of sound advice.
What I wasn’t impressed with was the dynamics of the Meet & Greet afterward. I think this is partly the venue that was chosen and the nature of how the organizers chose to carry out the meet and greet session. First of all, I am unsure why Jordon’s team chose the Save On Centre in Victoria, which is a venue that is typically used for large rock shows and as an ice rink arena for a local hockey team. There are a couple of other large theatres in Victoria that, in my opinion, would have aptly suited the nature of his lecture, namely the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse. I am not sure if this was a conscious choice, a booking conflict, or the fact that these venues were not willing to host Jordan Peterson due to the misplaced controversy that surrounds him.
I would have chosen a more intimate location with better acoustics and more inviting lighting and aesthetics. The meet and greet was poorly lit, the photo backdrop for the photo op was shoved to the corner of the stage and the complementary VIP question and answer period with Jordon afterward was busy and bright with stagehands in the background taking down the set. You could also tell everyone was tired by then. It was about 10:30 pm or so by the time we were able to sit down with Jordon. Far past my early bird bedtime. I wasn’t the only person looking worse for wear by that time, including Jordon. Perhaps his shows could have an earlier start at say 6pm instead of 7:30pm. Would that make a difference?
After the show, we stood around waiting for them to set up the meet and greet then lined up for a photo-op along the hockey boards. I think things would have been more efficient to host this in another room in the venue with ambient lighting and a more intimate setting where everyone could feel at ease.
The event host then told us that the meet and greet would be a quick handshake and photo-op only. I understand why they wanted to make it fast and efficient, but it also made the experience cold, impersonal, and superficial. I was not in my comfort zone, although other more seasoned individuals might have found the experience sufficient.
Given the small VIP crowd in Victoria, I think the meet and greet would have been better with Jordon behind a table signing books with an opportunity for a brief chat or sitting at crowd level for a question-and-answer period in a smaller room with a more approachable environment. I honestly could have done without the photo op and the signed lanyard, but others I imagine like it that way. I found it campy and rushed. I honestly think photo-ops are a very American way of showing off, where Canadians like to chat. They want a more intimate experience.
In saying all of this, I would definitely go to another Jordon Peterson event. I hope next time he brings Tammy to the meet and greet. I wanted to meet her too.
4. Take Others’ Opinions and Advice with A Grain of Salt
Jordon Peterson has some great advice, but it isn’t gospel. Queue the fanboys’ jaws dropping in disgust at my statement. Jordon is wise and he has a lot of experience exploring and studying the human condition, but he is not God and like all of us, he has blind spots. We must look inward and navigate our own path. We seek leaders because we fear the responsibility of leadership. Leaders have value. They inspire us and help us navigate a path, but they are not saviors. We must forge our own way and lift up our communities.
Jordon is only one man. He has given himself immensely to his calling as a speaker, mentor, and role model. I mentioned this to him during the photo-op. I don’t think he heard me. Again, too rushed… It takes a great deal of energy and time to give of yourself to a large audience who hangs on your every word. I applaud him for his efforts and cannot imagine engaging in a grueling schedule of touring, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. This brings me to my next lesson learned…
5. Celebrity Culture is Unnatural and We Always Pay a Price for It
We all want to succeed and part of that for some of us is taking a place in the public eye. There are benefits to that, I’m sure, but it comes at a cost. That cost includes sacrificing time with your family and friends and having to live in a protected bubble due to overzealous fans and haters. Jordon Peterson has had to pay a price for his fame. He even speaks about it. It isn’t easy, so if you aspire to be known for something, be careful what you wish for. It is not a natural pedestal for a human being to sit upon and it does have its dark side. It can cause you to question yourself and skew your perceptions of reality. Being in a position of influence requires a tremendous amount of responsibility and self-awareness to stay healthy and true to your purpose.
6. Invite Criticism. It’s the Only Way to Improve
When you do something big or out of the ordinary, you are going to automatically invite criticism. Jordon Peterson tells his audience that they are capable of more. Wanting more gives us a goalpost to aim at. It helps us achieve our dreams, but it can backfire if we are not prepared. Be prepared to accept responsibility for your decision and accept constructive criticism from others. It helps you discover your weaknesses and strengthen your ability to self-correct and adapt to changing circumstances. Stay humble and value the process.
I noticed in the audience last night last there were several young men talking to their friends about how they wanted to achieve these big things. There is nothing wrong with setting goals and dreaming of big things but stay realistic about what you can handle on the journey. Know your limits and boundaries. Value your actual life more than the life you wish to have. You are exactly where you need to be in the moment. Take life as a daily practice of self-discipline and small steps that lead to a greater plan.
7. Sometimes the Actual Outcome of a Situation Is Better Than the Expectation
Overall, I am happy I attended Jordon Peterson’s Beyond Order lecture. It gave me a different perspective on who he is and the dynamics of his family life. Being an individual who is interested in people, I was engaged by these aspects of his show. There are things about the meet and greet that I would have done differently, but watching the process of the presentation unfold educated me in the workings of a tightly timed performance and the adaptability of an audience. I noticed things and learned things I didn’t expect to learn, and I experienced something new. I’m grateful for that and thankful Jordon Peterson uses his voice to bring attention to the important challenges of our time. He is well-loved and appreciated, and the support of his family is invaluable. I am proud he is Canadian.
S. Angell is a published poet, writer, philosopher, video blogger, and preschool teacher by day. She explores an array of topics including love, life, death, history, and society from a philosophical perspective. You can find her on Instagram @therainydaypoetess or TheRainyDayPoet.com
