Jordan Peterson Rarely Talks About Money, But When He Does, It's Life-Changing.
It's ok to be an Evil Capitalist.
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I could not believe the amount of cash Jordan Peterson makes.
He's a clinical psychologist turned culture warrior and a renowned intellectual.
In the comments section, I either receive praise or criticism, like a politician, for referencing him, which shows how polarising he is.
I admire Peterson, and the social media algorithm knows it, too. His videos have quietly entered my daily routine.
He's divisive, so I understand why sharing my thoughts on him could ignite some debate, but saying I wasn't a fan would be a lie.
People ask Peterson for his opinion because he has a deep-rooted view of most aspects of life.
He shares a simple but profound message.
"Tidy your room."
It's a message that goes beyond the act itself. Think of it as a metaphor for taking control of your life and setting the wheels in motion for personal growth.
If you start tidying your immediate environment, you begin taking small, manageable steps towards self-improvement.
Cleaning and organising your physical space can profoundly impact your mindset.
It helps you establish a foundation for tackling more significant challenges and positively changing other aspects of your life.
Peterson says you must be willing to confront the chaos and dedicate yourself to creating order and harmony within yourself and your surroundings.
Then, you'll be able to go out and tackle the world.
Unsurprisingly, his message impacts his large online following of devoted fans, primarily men, worshipping his straightforward advice.
But it's not all rainbows and butterflies for the online guru who publicly shared his own struggles with addiction stemming from using medication to manage anxiety.
You'd never think it when you hear him speak with so much clarity.
Peterson criticised the feminist and socialist movement for muddying the waters regarding gender roles and capitalism, making him a lightning rod for criticism after refusing to refer to people by their new pronouns.
I like to avoid this hot potato at the risk of being cancelled, but I often find myself muttering under my breath, "But he's right."
Conflict makes him cry.
Peterson says it's worse not to speak your truth or avoid temporary conflict by agreeing, and it's why I tip my hat to him.
He sticks his flag in the ground and doesn't compromise his principles.
When asked how much money he made from "all this stuff," he answered honestly.
The numbers are astronomical, and his critics have questioned his moral stance of making so much money off the backs of disenfranchised men in distress.
Jordan Peterson — Source
“I’m an evil capitalist.
I don’t make bones about it. I’m not ashamed of making money. It’s very hard to make money.
I make 80,000 dollars a month on Patreon. My book sells about 20,000 copies a week. I have royalties amounting to a dollar fifty on each of those. The tours garner about 35,000 to 50,000 dollars an evening.
I have a business generating, I don’t know, something in the neighbourhood of 200,000 dollars a month. There are some other smaller sources of income.”
A lack of money does not cause poverty.
Jordan Peterson chooses to address subjects only when he deeply understands them.
When he talks about money, it's profound.
He says giving people money provides little practical value or long-term benefit.
Or, as the notorious B.I.G. would say, "Mo Money Mo Problems."
Peterson says we need to change our collective views of money. It doesn't always fix everything, but it isn't as bad as society makes out.
It comes down to your ability to manage it, which can be tricky because it can vanish if you get it wrong.
Older people get exploited for money online. People with addiction would be face down in a ditch if they had too much of it, and it's why you see a small percentage of the most capable people with a considerable portion of it.
Peterson says giving people money is like pouring water into their hands — it slips away quickly.
It's what keeps poverty going. It's not the lack of money that's causing the problems.
Jordan Peterson — Source
“In our culture, there’s a widespread belief that poverty is caused by a lack of money, which is a foolish idea.
Money is incredibly challenging to manage. I had addicted clients for whom receiving money was the worst possible outcome.
They would gravitate towards sociopathic acquaintances, especially if they lacked intelligence and self-defence skills. Once they had money, they would head straight to the bar with their friends.
I distinctly recall one individual who would disappear for five days every time he received his disability check.
Often, he would be discovered in a ditch, having spent every penny on alcohol and waking up in a near-fatal state. Eventually, he would feel ashamed, horrified, and repentant, striving to set himself straight again.”
Making money is a sign of moral virtue.
I love Peterson's counter-culture view.
Generating income through fair and ethical means showcases a commitment to following the rules and providing value to the marketplace.
Money is not this sinister, forbidden fruit you see politicians weaponise to turn folks against the wealthy.
Wealth accumulation is not solely about your gain but also an indicator of the value you provide to others. By delivering products or services people want, you contribute positively to their lives while reaping the rewards that come with it.
It's not something you should feel uneasy about. Everyone wins — you'd think.
It's popular in modern culture to think of cash as inherently evil. Some individuals hold this viewpoint, influenced by political or ethical beliefs.
Peterson says you should take individual responsibility because managing money is complex.
It carries significant commitment and can be challenging to handle effectively, especially if you waste or misuse money.
Jordan Peterson — Source
“I hope to have more money than I have in three years.
I’m not doing this for the money, but every single business enterprise I operate, and I operate a lot of them, is for-profit.
It serves as an impetus for efficiency and care, requiring me to produce marketable products. Therefore, it should be regarded as a sign of moral virtue rather than the opposite.
This assumption implies that I trade and play fair, which is indeed the case. Thus, I am thrilled about it.”
Final Thoughts.
You don't have to feel as dirty as a muddy puddle whenever you earn money.
It's a sign you're doing something good.
Heck, money is up there with breathing. For some reason, modern culture teaches us it's the root of evil.
What people speak about less is that it's the love of money that's evil. If the wrong people have it, it can have catastrophic impacts.
If capable people have it, it can have profoundly positive effects.
Peterson says making money requires diligent effort, discipline and a willingness to improve yourself continually.
Aligning your work with your values and interests can lead to greater fulfilment and increased opportunities for financial success.
But most importantly, it centres around the importance of taking personal responsibility.
You could start by tidying your room.
I did.