Why is Canadian professor and Reddit’s favorite philosopher Jordan Peterson now advertising his “lobster capsule collection” ?
One short answer is that his all-meat-everything diet probably costs a lot of money, and selling merchandise is an easy way for him to make money from his fans. It takes a lot less work than writing a follow-up to Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life, a 400-page pop-psych bestseller. The same work-to-reward equation can be used for YouTube streams: Peterson’s lectures on theology and “the Marxist lie of white privilege” consistently get seven figures of views, but YouTube only pays about $740 per million streams, according to reports.
For what reason did Peterson choose the lobster? The crustacean is often used as proof that social hierarchies are not natural:
Even if Peterson’s science isn’t true, he uses the lobster to make his case that there is a natural social order and that men who clean their rooms and stand up straight with their shoulders back are the best candidates for that order. Peterson is selling $34 T-shirts and $48 hoodies with a fun lobster print that looks like it came from Vineyard Vines. He is also selling $45 leggings, which may be an honest attempt to get more women to watch his show—Peterson once said that 91 percent of his viewers were men.
Peterson is also selling shirts, throw pillows, and fleece blankets of his own “Meaning of Music” foam core sculpture for about the same price. He describes it very well:
It’s not important that an influential person is selling T-shirts, even if that person is philosophical and right-wing. But the move comes a few months after Peterson’s decision to leave the popular crowdfunding patronage site Patreon. Peterson says he was the “second mostly highly funded creator on the site.” He quit Patreon in January because of “emerging censorship on the platform.” ” (He now encourages fans to donate at his own site, where he self-reports some 5,000 supporters. Peterson quit Patreon in protest after the British anti-feminist YouTuber Carl Benjamin was banned for using the N-word, even though Benjamin was said to make $66,000 a month on the site.
The strange phrase “hail lobster” has become an internet meme and rallying cry among supporters of Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson. But what exactly does this eccentric saying mean, and where did it originate from?
The Backstory Behind Jordan Peterson and Lobsters
To understand the significance of “hail lobster,” you first need context about Jordan Peterson’s association with lobsters. This connection stems from his 2018 bestselling book 12 Rules for Life, where he uses lobsters to illustrate ideas about biology, dominance hierarchies, and competence.
In the book, Peterson points out that lobsters’ nervous systems run on serotonin, like humans, and this brain chemical affects their place in the social hierarchy. He argues that lobster biology confirms that hierarchy is natural and competence wins in the struggle for higher status.
So the lobster became a mascot of sorts for Peterson’s philosophies about inherent differences determining rank in society. Critics derided this “lobster theory” as biologically questionable while supporters saw the lobster as an emblem of Peterson’s appeal.
Either way, the crustacean was cemented in popular culture as Peterson’s signature animal thanks to its prominence in his runaway hit book
The Marvel Comic That Sparked “Hail Lobster”
In April 2021, Marvel published an issue of its Captain America comic series that appeared to parody Peterson as a dangerous thought leader.
The villain Red Skull is depicted with a lobster while discussing his evil philosophy. Many readers saw it as an unflattering caricature of Peterson and his lobster metaphors.
Outraged, Peterson denounced Marvel’s attempt to smear him as a radical associating him with the Nazi-esque Red Skull. Marvel’s comic became a flashpoint in the culture wars surrounding Peterson and his detractors.
Peterson Fires Back With Viral “Hail Lobster” Tweet
Never one to back down from a fight, Peterson leveraged Marvel’s attack to further boost his lobster brand.
He did this by tweeting “Hail lobster” along with an image of a lobster claw similar to the fascist Hydra logo. This subverted Red Skull’s catchphrase “Hail Hydra” while defiantly doubling down on lobster imagery.
Peterson was reclaiming the lobster likeness used against him and turning it into an irreverent, ironic emblem for his supporters. His viral “Hail lobster” tweet launched a whole movement and philosophy summed up in two words.
What Does “Hail Lobster” Symbolize?
For Peterson fans, proudly declaring “Hail lobster” represents several layers of meaning:
- Supporting Peterson against unfair attacks
- Embracing individual competence over identity politics
- Opposing cancel culture and defending free speech
- Protecting their right to explore controversial ideas
- Having a subversive sense of humor about the culture wars
- Appreciating Peterson’s outside-the-box thinking
On one level, it’s a direct middle finger to those who tried to delegitimize Peterson via associations with Nazism. On another, it’s a warped form of patriotism rallying around a lobster flag.
The Evolution and Enduring Appeal of “Hail Lobster”
Peterson supporters enthusiastically took up the “Hail lobster” slogan, spreading it online and emblazoning it on all kinds of gear. This absurd phrase resonated by combining humor, fandom, and anti-establishment defiance.
Now, the saying and lobster imagery remain fixtures in internet memes mocking cancel culture and celebrating Peterson’s renegade appeal.
While its beginnings were in controversy, “hail lobster” has shown impressive staying power as a unique symbol of cultural rebellion. For those waving the lobster banner, it represents resistance in the face of stifling PC norms.
So don’t expect this surreal catchphrase – once sparked by fierce debate over a crustacean in a Marvel comic – to disappear anytime soon. In a contentious era, it’s the perfect ironic rallying cry.
The Takeaway
In the end, “hail lobster” means standing up for your right to take pride in individual competence and freely discuss unpopular ideas without being shamed or silenced. It’s about rejecting identity politics and groupthink in favor of skeptical, independent thought.
And yes, it’s about having an absurd sense of humor in the midst of the culture wars. All hail the mighty lobster!
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Lessons from Lobsters | Jordan Peterson
FAQ
What does Jordan Peterson mean by lobster?
What does ‘hail lobster’ mean?
“Hail lobster,” Peterson jokingly tweeted out alongside a lobster-themed parody of the symbol representing Hydra, a fictional terrorist organization run by Captain America’s nemesis, Red Skull. Both Red Skull and Hydra were associated with the Nazis in the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why do lobsters fight each other?
Failing this, the lobsters wrestle, trying to flip the other. Failing this, the lobsters engage in physical combat, using claws to damage body parts. Because actual fighting is risky for both parties, being able to non-violently determine the stronger through signaling is beneficial.
How do you know if a lobster is male or female?
A male and female lobster positioned side by side. Erin McDowell/Business Insider From explaining the telltale signs between male and female lobsters to showing how to remove barnacles from lobsters’ shells, Knowles has created hundreds of videos showing the unique things he comes across as a lobsterman.
Where do lobstermen fish?
Three generations of lobstermen in Knowles’ family have fished in Winter Harbor, a small fishing village east of Bar Harbor. The generations before that were in a neighboring harbor. “A lot of the things that I do on my boat are stuff that my grandfather learned how to do back then,” he said.