The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

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175. Journalist or Heretic? | Bari Weiss

Jun 10, 2021

Guest

Bari Weiss

Bari Weiss, a renowned journalist and author formerly with The New York Times, joins the conversation to discuss her bold career shift to independent journalism on Substack. She shares insights on the impact of social media on traditional news and the changing landscape of journalism. Weiss dives into the complexities of systemic racism, the importance of intellectual diversity, and the chilling effects of compelled speech in academia. She discusses navigating societal norms and the psychological costs of upholding one's beliefs in today's polarized environment.

02:24:48

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ANECDOTE

Columbia Experience

Yeonmi Park found her Columbia humanities degree a waste.
She felt unable to express her thoughts, finding it similar to North Korea.

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INSIGHT

Core Curriculum vs. Propaganda

Bari Weiss's core curriculum at Columbia was soul-expanding.
She contrasted this with the propagandistic Middle East Studies department.

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ANECDOTE

Unifactorial View of Middle East

In a Middle East studies course, Bari Weiss was taught a unifactorial view of the region's problems.
This view blamed colonialism and used biased texts like Rodinson's, misrepresenting Israel's history.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Navigating Journalism and Education in a Divided World

04:36 • 15min

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Complexity Beyond Simplification

19:52 • 9min

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Navigating Ideologies in Academia and Media

29:03 • 23min

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The Shifting Sands of Journalism

52:16 • 6min

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Navigating Systemic Racism and Human Complexity

58:02 • 15min

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The Intersection of Ideology and Spirituality: A Critique of Atheism

01:13:06 • 4min

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The Thrill of Truth-Telling in Journalism

01:16:56 • 4min

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The Joy of Editorial Engagement

01:21:01 • 7min

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The Cost of Speaking Out

01:28:03 • 16min

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Navigating Integrity in Modern Media

01:44:30 • 22min

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Crafting Judgment and Mentorship

02:06:01 • 12min

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Building a New Ecosystem for Independent Journalism

02:18:17 • 3min

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Rebuilding in the Face of Institutional Decline

02:21:21 • 5min

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Israel: a colonial-settler state?

Maxime Rodinson

Notes from Underground

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Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fyodor Dostoevsky's "Notes from Underground" is a novella that delves into the mind of an unnamed narrator, a bitter and alienated individual who rails against reason and societal norms. The work is considered a precursor to existentialist literature, exploring themes of isolation, nihilism, and the human condition. Dostoevsky's masterful use of first-person narration allows readers to experience the narrator's turbulent thoughts and emotions. The novella's exploration of free will and the complexities of human psychology continues to resonate with readers today. Its influence on literature and philosophy is undeniable, shaping the works of later writers and thinkers.

The Revolt of the Public

And the Reckoning of the West

Martin Gurri

Martin Gurri's "The Revolt of the Public" analyzes the growing disconnect between established elites and the general public, exploring the rise of populism and anti-establishment sentiment. The book examines how the rapid dissemination of information through the internet has empowered ordinary citizens, leading to a challenge to traditional power structures. Gurri argues that the elites' inability to adapt to this changing information landscape has fueled public anger and frustration. The book's central theme is the erosion of trust in institutions and the rise of alternative sources of information and authority. Gurri's analysis offers insights into the underlying causes of political polarization and the challenges facing democratic societies in the digital age.

In order to live

A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom

Yeonmi Park

In this memoir, Yeonmi Park recounts her struggle to survive in North Korea under the oppressive rule of Kim Jong-il. She describes her escape to China at the age of 13, where she and her mother faced severe hardships, including human trafficking. The book details their perilous journey across the Gobi Desert to Mongolia and eventually to South Korea, highlighting the challenges of adjusting to a new life and overcoming years of indoctrination. Park's story is a testament to her resilience and her emergence as a leading human rights activist before her 21st birthday.

12 Rules for Life

An Antidote to Chaos

Jordan B Peterson

In this book, Jordan B. Peterson offers twelve profound and practical rules for living a meaningful life. He argues that happiness is a fleeting and unpredictable goal, and instead, people should seek meaning as a defense against the suffering inherent in life. The book is divided into chapters, each representing one of the twelve rules, such as 'Stand up straight with your shoulders back,' 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping,' and 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient). ' Peterson draws on examples from his clinical practice, personal life, cutting-edge psychology, philosophy, and ancient myths to provide a guide for personal improvement and coping with adversity.

How to Fight Anti-Semitism

Bari Weiss

In this book, Bari Weiss delivers an urgent wake-up call to all Americans, highlighting the alarming increase in anti-Semitism in the country. She examines the threat from both the far right and the far left, and provides a multifaceted plan for Jews and their allies to fight it. Weiss advocates for embracing Judaism, renewing values, respecting oneself, calling out hateful speech and actions, defending other minorities, building community, and supporting Israel. The book also puts modern anti-Semitism into historical context and emphasizes the importance of Jewish authenticity and community strength in combating this hatred.

Animal Farm

George Orwell

Published in 1945, 'Animal Farm' is a novella that allegorically represents the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism. The story begins with Old Major, a boar, inspiring the animals of Manor Farm to rebel against their human oppressor, Mr. Jones. After the rebellion, the animals rename the farm 'Animal Farm' and establish a utopian society based on the principles of equality and solidarity, known as Animalism. However, as time passes, the pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, consolidate power and gradually corrupt the original ideals, leading to a dystopian regime that mirrors the oppressive human rule they initially rebelled against. The novel critiques totalitarianism and the corrupting nature of power, reflecting Orwell's experiences and views on the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule.

On this Season 4 Episode 29 of the Jordan Peterson Podcast, Jordan Peterson is joined by Bari Weiss. Bari Weiss is a journalist and author. She has worked as an opinion writer and editor at the New York Times, before that she was an OP editor and book reviewer at the Wallstreet Journal, and a senior editor at tablet magazine. Bari now writes for herself on SubStack.

Jordan and Bari Weiss discussed her career, the circumstances surrounding her resignation from the New York Times, the aftermath of her famous resignation letter which criticized the New York Times, Twitter and social media, the phrase “Systemic Racism”, the work she is doing now, and much more.

Find more Bari Weiss on her substack Common Sense with Bari Weiss https://bariweiss.substack.com/, on Twitter @bariweiss, and read her notorious resignation letter at https://www.bariweiss.com/resignation-letter

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