We need more analysis like yours. People willing to consider both sides of an issue before they form an opinion. As you mentioned in your writing, it’s very difficult for people to sift through all of the opinions out there to find what they need to be able to do this, so most just give up and follow the prevailing opinions and assumptions about people.

I have watched a few of Jordan Peterson’s lessons, and although he does tend use intellectual smokescreens a little more than I like, I agree that his messages alone aren’t dangerous. Ironically, it is the opinions of his messaging that fan the flames and associate him with a majority white male audience, which is typically associated with conservatism, which is associated with President Trump… This snowball effect happens daily in people’s minds about the left as well (i.e. climate change, to President Obama, to gender equality), which further cements people’s opinions of what they think about either side and how they see themselves among their circle of opinions. It’s interesting and troublesome at the same time.

I keep telling people that the only way to move forward in a positive direction from this point in history is to try and understand both sides of the political spectrum through dialogue and awareness, and you have done that, which gives me hope for the future. However, I am aware that there are large swaths of people in the U.S. who immediately shut down after they hear the mention of a name (like Peterson) or concept that does not jive with their opinion, even if their opinion is only based on a few social media posts. In my mind, this is the true danger of the times that we live in, and it shows no signs of reversal anytime soon.

If anything, it has only become easier to subtly manipulate the hearts and minds of people through technological suggestion. Advertising and messaging are literally everywhere now and that reach will extend even further in the near future.

Anyway, we need more people willing to investigate and challenge beliefs that they may be holding on to for no better reason than tradition or inheritance, and you have done that. Fantastic writing man, the world needs you!