Jordan Peterson On The Importance Of Reading

The Decline of Reading and the Rise of New Media [00:00]

• The speaker questions the decline in reading per capita and whether it constitutes an existential crisis [00:00]
• Reading for pleasure has historically been a minority activity, with a smaller subset buying difficult books [00:31]
• New media like YouTube videos and podcasts are expanding access to valuable content, offering an alternative to traditional reading [00:31]
• Books offer a unique depth through layered thought and re-thinking, which is difficult to replicate in other mediums [01:07]
• Podcasts and audiobooks provide valuable educational content and allow people to learn while engaged in other activities like driving or exercising [01:48]

Books vs. Podcasts: Advantages and Disadvantages [01:50]

• Audiobooks are considered just as valuable as physical books for learning, especially for utilizing 'found time' [01:50]
• Podcasts allow for the utilization of time spent commuting or doing chores, making learning accessible during these periods [02:26]
• The podcast market has exploded due to its ability to make productive use of time previously spent on less engaging activities [03:12]
• YouTube lectures, even when difficult and long, attract hundreds of thousands of views, indicating a significant market for high-quality educational material [03:44]
• Jordan Peterson's success in marketing his content to new media platforms is highlighted as groundbreaking compared to his contemporaries [03:44]
• Peterson attributes his success to an insane curiosity and a willingness to be a 'fool' when starting new endeavors, a concept echoed by Carl Jung [04:23]

Audiobooks and the Value of Found Time [05:12]

• Peterson explains his journey into new media began with a simple conversation with a journalist, leading to TV appearances and eventually YouTube lectures [05:12]
• He emphasizes a conversational approach without specific goals, letting the conversation unfold naturally [05:55]
• This willingness to try new things, even without immediate expertise, is a key differentiator from his colleagues [06:34]
• He felt like a fool when starting as a therapist, lecturer, consultant, and media personality, but persisted [06:34]
• Peterson's YouTube channel gained significant traction, reaching a million views by April 2016, which he considered a monumental achievement compared to academic papers [07:23]
• He realized YouTube offered a reach and duration for the spoken word comparable to books, likening it to a Gutenberg revolution [08:23]