Jordan Peterson reflects on his transition from financial struggle as an assistant professor to his current state of global influence and wealth. True wealth is defined here as a "plethora of opportunity" rather than hedonistic indulgence, a perspective shaped by his experience of being relatively old when his fame accelerated. He recounts driving a dilapidated 1975 Ford Granada as a symbol of his modest beginnings and explains that his interest in collecting Soviet propaganda art served as a historical investigation into totalitarianism rather than a display of status. To manage the psychological pressures of fame and avoid the "Icarus" trap of ego, he emphasizes the necessity of distinguishing oneself from the ideas they represent. This groundedness is maintained through a practice of gratitude and a close-knit advisory circle consisting of his wife and children, who provide a "distribution of sanity" and constant communication to navigate complex public life.
Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.
Continue