[April 7, 2023] Speech is difficult and complex and hard to master. Dr. Jordan Peterson gives us some ideas that are often unsaid. Here are some of this thoughts I believe are significant. It is definitely the case that there is no more exceptional form of the capacity to be dangerous than to be articulate. Weirdly, young men are never taught this. Why be literate? Do you want to be competent and dangerous, or do you want to be vague and useless?
Those are your options. It matters not what your job is today. It matters not what you end up doing in your life. For example, suppose you are a plumber, and you are articulate. In that case, you can negotiate with your clients, you can introduce your co-workers, you can make a case for the cost you charge, you can advertise your services, you can think through your problems, and you can use your mental capacity for the good of yourself and others.
Our entire culture is predicated upon the idea of the primacy of the word. It is the word itself that extracts habitable order from chaos and possibility. Our culture is predicated on that because it is a profound truth. To the degree our culture embodies that, it works. So, it is a great thing to be articulate.
It would be good if our educators were wise enough to communicate this appropriately to young men who are striving forward. And then to let them know, in no uncertain terms, that if they want to make themselves into a force to be contended with, there is no surer route to that than literacy.
The greatest warriors whom I’ve studied are great in no small part because they are articulate. Jocko Willink (whom I’ve written about before) admits that his success as a warrior largely depends on his ability to communicate. He could listen to the Soldiers under his command. Because he was articulate, he could explain the situation on the ground to his superiors and gain the best tactical advantage.
What is the alternative to being articulate? There is no advantage there at all.
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yes, gen. satterfield, good one
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Gen. Satterfield, you’ve done it once again. Thank you for this very informative article.
Let us not forget that the idea of the primacy of the word is the real point here.
“No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.” = Plato
If you want to read more on Jocko Willink, then take a look at his Twitter feed.
https://twitter.com/jockowillink
Jocko Willink
@jockowillink
Apr 2
Up before the enemy…
“It is definitely the case that there is no more exceptional form of the capacity to be dangerous than to be articulate. ” — Gen. Satterfield. Now that makes sense to any sane person who is paying attention. Common sense!
Nothing like an insidious attempt to destroy America by introducing a self-destructive individual philosophy that was tested and works in the soviet union and china. Unleashed on the weak in America.
Got that right …. bam!
… and this self-destructive idea is spreading like wildfire. It consumes everything in its wake. It burns, first, the weak and then starts to work on the strong who are taking care of the weak. It is an EASY philosophy becuase it requires zero responsibility, rewards lies, and makes you “feel” morally superior without the effort. Yep, this is narcissism at its very best and it works every time because the weak are the first to fall for it.
Yes, indeed, the most dangerous (the best, the winner, the top dog, the one who bests others) is articulate (can put ideas into words, has a vision, says what he thinks). That is what makes the leader a real leader and not some “privilege” or special assigned position or authority. Real leaders are articulate. THere is no substitute.
Well said, Purse. And yet the push today in American and most of the West, unfortunately, is that those who are the best at what they do are dangerous in the sense that they are dominant and have some unfair advantage, not in the case that they are successful.
True, yet most of those who read this will completely ignore that fact because they believe the radical leftists narratives that it is because of white privilege and unfairness. That is sad, becuase they lose opportunities that they themselves put them at a disadvantage.
POW, the truth hurts. 😎😎
Yes, well said, But this is the main narrative of the political liberals. A self-fulfilling prophecy. They make their own failure.
Very well said, Gen. S.
Yes, and let’s not forget to get Gen. Satterfield’s books and read them and leave a review on Amazon. Well done, sir!!!!!
“55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon
“Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon