The analogy I've seen previously is that much can be accomplished with a tuned violin, even though (or perhaps because) it is constrained by physical limitations (by definition).John D wrote: ↑ PZ is actually right about the specifics of the lobster story. Chordata split from Anamalia further back in time than Peterson claims. My little study suggests this was 540 million years ago rather then 350 as Peterson claims. Also, we are not a direct descendant of lobsters. Our lineage broke off prior to true lobsters. This kind of detailed mistake does tend to take the wind out of Peterson's story. But, I forgive him here. I just finished the first chapter of "12 Rules for Life" and his main story is correct.
Peterson's main points are that lobsters and people form hierarchies, these hierarchies are very old, and the hierarchies even share some of the same brain chemistry. This is all generally true.
So, while PZ successfully picks at some details, he really does not disprove the claim. The claim is that you should face the world with your head up and your shoulders back.... like a successful lobster. This is probably something PZ cannot do.
From what I've seen the Alt-Right are prepared to argue for an evolutionary basis for tribalism (or, if you want to be less charitable, racial-separatism, if not outright racism - they probably are no longer bothered about what you want to call it). I'm sure the polyhed(r)onists can also quote a biological imperative for their lifestyle too.
I can see the point to presenting ideas in new way (cf the lobster) to force people to re-examine their beliefs. Any words with a structure contain a narrative (or will do once people start to process them) - but biology and science in general require a bit of fact checking too. I would find it interesting for Peterson to try and argue the case for his world view when faced with that of the race-realists or polymers or even an outright Randian Objectivist - all of whom can rationalise their beliefs from an evolutionary standpoint with the best of them.