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504. Fired for Honesty and Competence: One Genuine Teacher's Story | Warren Smith

The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

Published: Thu Dec 05 2024

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with teacher, filmmaker, and YouTuber, Warren Smith. They discuss his unexpected virality after Elon Musk retweeted a video of him teaching critical thinking. They also walk through the aftermath, Warren’s run-ins and eventual firing by administrative bureaucrats, why asking permission to take on the unknown is not needed, and how the choice to live a safe life or accept an extraordinary adventure is ultimately yours to make. This episode was filmed on November 21st, 2024 | Links | For Warren Smith: On X https://x.com/WTSmith17 On YouTube www.youtube.com/@SecretScholars On Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/Secret_Scholars

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast – Episode 504: "Fired for Honesty and Competence: One Genuine Teacher's Story | Warren Smith"

Introduction In Episode 504 of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, host Dr. Jordan B. Peterson engages in a profound conversation with Warren Smith, a dedicated high school teacher who found himself at the center of a cultural and professional storm after a classroom discussion video went viral. This detailed summary captures the essence of their dialogue, highlighting key themes such as free speech in education, the impact of viral media, and the challenges of teaching in a behaviorally challenged school environment.

1. Background: Warren Smith's Teaching Career Warren Smith began his teaching journey after graduating with a Master of Fine Arts in Video Production in 2019. Initially employed at a public high school in Massachusetts, Smith's career took an unexpected turn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading him to a specialized institution catering to students with behavioral challenges.

Notable Quote:

  • Warren Smith [03:39]: "I found myself in this unlikely position... I enjoyed it."

2. The Viral Video: Classroom Discussion on J.K. Rowling Smith recorded a classroom discussion where he employed critical thinking to address a student's claim that J.K. Rowling held transphobic views. The calm and professional manner in which Smith navigated the contentious topic resonated with viewers, leading to the video’s virality after being shared by Elon Musk.

Notable Quotes:

  • Warren Smith [00:38]: "Hey, you've heard. So what? Can you give me an example?"
  • Jordan Peterson [00:53]: "The calm demeanor, the intelligent questioning of the student, really the professional way that he handled the discussion... was remarkable."

3. Aftermath: Consequences of Going Viral The viral success of the video had immediate repercussions for Smith. He was promptly fired from his teaching position and faced further scrutiny during an interview with Piers Morgan. Smith likens his abrupt termination to being "deleted" from a video game after four years of dedication.

Notable Quotes:

  • Warren Smith [02:25]: "I have devoted four years of my life to this school. And yesterday it was like being a character in a video game and just being deleted."
  • Jordan Peterson [02:37]: "The consequences of saying what you think when the situation is set up to reward you for maintaining your silence."

4. Institutional Challenges: Teaching in a Behaviorally Challenged School Smith delves into the complexities of his role in a specialized school, where the teacher-to-student ratio was exceptionally high to manage aggressive and behavioral issues. Despite his lack of prior experience with such students, Smith thrived by integrating creative projects like video editing and Photoshop to engage the students constructively.

Notable Quotes:

  • Warren Smith [09:13]: "I interviewed well. I think they saw potential."
  • Jordan Peterson [14:19]: "There was a lot of freedom to that. But the challenge is that it allows them to come in at their convenience if they..."

5. The Piers Morgan Interview: Navigating Media Exposure Following the viral video, Smith was invited to appear on Piers Morgan’s show. Embracing the opportunity, he chose to participate without seeking prior permission, embodying the principle that "it’s better to ask for forgiveness than for permission." The interview was brief but significant, solidifying his presence in the public eye.

Notable Quotes:

  • Warren Smith [49:17]: "Because I have regretted things in my life before... I would rather try and run with this ball as far as I can take it..."
  • Jordan Peterson [60:39]: "If you're going to step outside of the bounds of normal propriety, doesn't hurt to have a plan..."

6. Institutional Responses and Free Speech Smith discusses the school's administrative response to his actions, highlighting the rigid policies that allowed his termination despite his adherence to existing guidelines. He emphasizes the broader implications for free speech within educational institutions, suggesting that bureaucratic fears often stifle genuine discourse and entrepreneurial teaching methods.

Notable Quotes:

  • Warren Smith [73:55]: "I think they needed it good enough. I thought they were just not going to renew my contract over the summer."
  • Jordan Peterson [73:25]: "The dean has narrate in your own home what you do with YouTube. How does that correlate to the dean's business or the university's business?"

7. Personal Reflections and Insights Throughout the conversation, both Smith and Peterson reflect on the nature of risk, regret, and personal growth. Smith shares his past regrets about not pursuing certain opportunities in filmmaking, drawing parallels to his decision to embrace the viral moment despite potential fallout. Peterson reinforces the idea that taking calculated risks is essential for meaningful success and personal fulfillment.

Notable Quotes:

  • Warren Smith [59:27]: "The pain of regret is a unique form of pain."
  • Jordan Peterson [59:36]: "It's a kind of self betrayal... That's what the door opened."

8. Conclusions: The Balance Between Safety and Opportunity The episode culminates in a discussion about the delicate balance between adhering to institutional rules and pursuing innovative, risk-taking approaches in education. Smith's experience serves as a case study for the broader societal tension between conformity and individuality, highlighting the necessity of fostering environments where critical thinking and honest discourse are encouraged rather than punished.

Notable Quotes:

  • Jordan Peterson [81:03]: "You have to deeply understand that no risk is first of all not desirable. You actually don't want a risk-free life..."
  • Warren Smith [80:15]: "I need to run with this opportunity, grow if I can, with this platform in case something happens."

Final Thoughts Episode 504 offers listeners an in-depth look into the challenges faced by educators advocating for free speech and critical thinking within restrictive institutional frameworks. Warren Smith's journey underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and openness in teaching, even in the face of adversity and systemic opposition. Dr. Jordan B. Peterson's thoughtful questioning provides a platform for exploring these vital issues, encouraging listeners to reflect on the broader implications for education and personal agency in contemporary society.

No transcript available.