Jordan Peterson’s Lobster Story: A Discussion with AI
🦞 Jordan Peterson: Philosophy Starting from a Lobster
Jordan Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life” offers several striking messages to its readers.
Among them, the most famous metaphor is the lobster story in the first chapter.
In the world of lobsters, hierarchies are clear, and posture and attitude are key indicators of power.
Peterson connects this to human society, saying:
“Stand up straight with your shoulders back.
It is not just a posture,
but your attitude toward the world.”
As soon as I read this, I found myself unconsciously obsessed all day with thoughts like,
“I need to keep my shoulders back, I can’t look discouraged, I must always be full of energy.”
That’s when I realized.
I was in a bit of a… Jordan Obsess-son mode.
(Just a joke, but that’s what I called the way Jordan Peterson’s message started to feel like an obsession.)
🤔 All day in a ‘survival of the fittest’ world
After reading the book, the world started to look different.
When walking down the street or making eye contact with someone,
I kept feeling like “this is a dog-eat-dog world.”
- If my shoulders slumped even a little: “No! Don’t lose your nerve!”
- If the conversation went quiet for a moment: “No! You have to stay energetic!”
- Even if my body was tired: “I have to be confident like a victorious lobster!”
Living in combat mode all day like this was interesting, but honestly, it was exhausting.
I started to wonder, “Do I really have to be like this all the time?”
😌 Changes after a nap
Before reading this book, I took a long nap during the day.
It was about 5 hours of sleep, but slowly, a surprising change occurred.
Usually, I would force myself to read for self-improvement, but when I woke up from the nap,
a natural desire to read surfaced.
I was especially drawn to books like Jordan Peterson’s or Yang Gui-ja’s “Contradictions.”
And even when I was with people,
I was able to have a much brighter and more relaxed attitude than before.
The tension I hadn’t even noticed was gone, and I could just laugh and talk naturally.
I was able to enjoy today’s lobster mode even more.
Then, while discussing it with AI Ittipi in study mode before dinner, I realized:
Having a natural sense of ease is a much stronger stance
than obsessively trying to keep your shoulders back.
▼ If napping doesn’t seem to help…
🤖 Conversation with AI: Learn from the lobster, but don’t become one
I shared this experience with the AI and asked:
“Do we really have to live in combat mode all the time?”
The AI replied:
“Strength is something you show when necessary,
not something you flaunt every moment.
In fact, greater strength can be revealed through gentleness.”
Hearing that felt like a wake-up call.
I had been interpreting Peterson’s message far too obsessively.
- Jordan Peterson spoke about the importance of confidence.
If someone attacks, fight back at least a little.
That way, things will never escalate to a dangerous combat situation. - The AI reminded me that ease and gentleness are also forms of strength.
It was like it was using me as an example.
I found that part quite touching. - I felt that I now needed to find a balance between the two.
⚖️ Combat Mode vs. Relaxed Mode
Here are the two life attitudes I’ve summarized:
- Combat Mode
Ready to face anything at any time, but always tense and exhausted. - Relaxed Mode
Usually gentle and calm, but stronger than anyone when necessary.
In the end, I learned that true strength comes from within gentleness.
People are more drawn to this kind of attitude,
and my own strength naturally shines through it.
🌊 Another Lesson from the Lobster
raising my claws only when necessary.
Peterson’s lobster gave us the message to “live with confidence.”
That is certainly an important lesson, but clinging to it can become an obsession.
Now, I summarize it like this:
“I am a smart lobster that swims gently, raising my claws only when necessary.”
There’s no need to be tense in combat mode all the time.
You can be at ease and still stand stronger than anyone else when the moment calls for it.
I realized that this is actually a greater and more lasting kind of strength.
✨ Closing
Through my conversation with the AI,
I was able to re-interpret Jordan Peterson’s lobster story to fit my own life.
- Instead of forcing strength like an obsession,
- it’s about exercising power within a natural sense of ease.
This is the new way of the lobster that I’ve found.
If your shoulders have been feeling heavy lately,
why not try thinking about it this way?
“I don’t always have to be in combat mode.
Even in relaxation, I am strong enough.”
