Jordan Peterson has found himself the subject of ridicule after an embarrassing Twitter rant over an April Fool’s joke that he fell for.
The Canadian psychologist, who is well known for his controversial views and outspoken opinions, had taken to Twitter on April 1st to vent his fury over a joke article posted by Western Standard that suggested Toronto would replace a lane of the TransCanada highway with a bike lane as part of a $100 billion plan from Justin Trudeau.
Unaware that the article was a joke, Peterson launched into a tirade against the “idiot country” and its leader, Justin Trudeau, asking him if there was anything he wouldn’t do.
He tweeted, “This idiot country is sheathed in ice seven months of the year and the trans Canada highway (an underdeveloped national disgrace) is 5000 miles long. Is there nothing so stupid you won’t do it @JustinTrudeau?”
This idiot country is sheathed in ice seven months of the year and the trans Canada highway (an underdeveloped national disgrace) is 5000 miles long. Is there nothing so stupid you won't do it @JustinTrudeau ? https://t.co/pgaxCAaoxp
— Dr Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson) April 1, 2023
However, the article had clearly stated that it was an April Fool’s joke and even had a Twitter disclaimer that read, “Readers added context they thought people might want to know. This is an April Fools Day joke.”
If Peterson had read the article in full, he would have seen the message from the Western Standard that said, “From all of us at the Western Standard, have a happy April Fools Day.”
This is not the first time Peterson has spoken out on issues he feels passionate about.
He previously weighed in on Elon Musk’s sugar-fuelled breakfast, where the tech mogul responded to entrepreneur Peter Diamandis’ claim that sugar was “poison” by saying, “I eat a donut every morning. Still alive.”
Peterson had offered his take on Musk’s not-so-nutritional meal, tweeting, “Slow poison. Vast majority over forty are diabetic by the standards applied to twenty-year olds @elonmusk. Probably and unfortunately you too.” Despite Peterson’s warning, Musk remained unfazed, replying, “I feel fine.”
Peterson’s Twitter rant over the joke article has drawn widespread criticism and ridicule, with many mocking him for his failure to recognize the article as an April Fool’s joke.
Some have called him out for his lack of attention to detail, while others have questioned his intelligence and credibility as a public figure.
The incident has also highlighted the need for people to exercise caution and skepticism when reading articles online, particularly when it comes to news and information that could be considered controversial or inflammatory. With the rise of fake news and misinformation on social media, it is more important than ever to fact-check and verify sources before sharing or commenting on them.
In a world where information is readily available at our fingertips, it can be easy to fall into the trap of believing everything we read. However, it is essential to remember that not all sources are trustworthy and that it is up to us to be discerning in our consumption and dissemination of information.
As for Jordan Peterson, it remains to be seen how this latest incident will affect his reputation and standing in the public eye. While some may see it as a minor blip in an otherwise successful career, others may view it as further evidence of his questionable judgment and reliability as a public figure.
Regardless of the outcome, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking things at face value and the importance of critical thinking in our increasingly connected world.
