Previously I shared the peculiar story of how myself and others were banned from Jordan Peterson’s online educational platform, Peterson Academy, back on January 8th. (That blog entry can be found here.) The following is the letter Frankie Joy Bailer and I sent to Jordan Peterson through multiple channels on January 11th 2025, hoping to clear up the misunderstanding and acquire some assistance. We know at least one of the professors we contacted forwarded it to Jordan Peterson (as they replied and told us so). One student also delivered a copy of the letter to Dr. Peterson in person at a meet and greet, and followed up with him in person the next day to ask if he’d read it (he had not). In the spirit of transparency, this is what we sent on January 11th 2025.
Dear Dr. Peterson
Written by Dusty May Taylor
Edited by Dusty May Taylor and Frankie Joy Bailer
Approved by Banned and Concerned Students
10 January 2025
Dear Dr. Peterson,
We’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you and Mikhaila for inviting us to embark on the thrilling adventure that is Peterson Academy. As early adopters and torchbearers, we have come to know that the promised potential of top-tier education and likeminded fellowship was rightly stated. You said early on that the social side of university was one of the primary benefits and would be one of the most important features. We believe you were correct.
Peterson Academy Social is a bona fide treasure: a group of highly-motivated early adopters sharing their dreams and struggles, arguing and laughing. In only a few short months, a miraculous thing occurred: real relationships were forged based on a shared ethos of aiming upward and accountability; an ethos of honesty and integrity, transparency, fun—and even ambition. In short, we each in our own ways have aspired to follow your example and take your wisdom to heart. These past 5 months have enriched not only our intellects and knowledge base, but our lives and community.
PA Social users may be the minority of 40,000 students, but we feel like a true academy. In our midst are mothers, artists, psychologists, tradesmen, military and veterans, nurses, retirees, those on disability, high school students—everything you can think of. We participate from all over the world, including third-world countries.
Recently it came to our attention that our subscription would increase from $450 to as much as $1,000 USD in an undisclosed amount of time. Some were able to take advantage of the offer to extend their current subscription for three more years; others could not afford this unanticipated expense. Many simply wanted additional information before investing additional money upfront. Unfortunately, requests for clarity were met with vague messaging despite months of unrealized features (e.g., the sign-up page for PA suggests that exams for courses exist, but they are not yet available).
The dragon of uncertainty reared its ugly head. As a result (as is often the case on PA Social), a heated debate sprang up. Some expressed concern and requested further explanation and assistance. Others made evident their desire for silence from those who were requesting clarity. Humour was deployed by the Jesters of PA Social (largely in the form of memes), as a lighthearted effort to make it okay to discuss the uncomfortable topic of policy and finances. When Mikhaila quote-posted one of the more pointed memes (which had high levels of somewhat-relieved engagement), she indicated that the price of $4,000 for 4 years was always the goal, that there was no time to entertain the perspective of people who could not afford an extra $50 USD per month, and that perhaps the issue was a general lack of usefulness and work ethic.
Much of the community was taken aback by this, and continued to ask questions. Some even began questioning whether the foundational ethos of Peterson Academy had changed. On Wednesday, January 8th, at least 5 prominent and prolific members of PA Social were banned and refunded without warning. They were given no time to save their content or exchange contact information with fellow students. If one or two had not already done so, friends would have been lost and community members isolated. One user emailed Support requesting an explanation for why she was removed, and received the following response:
“We have noted your dissatisfaction with the platform and therefore have ended your subscription and refunded your money in full.”
As this seems punitive (in light of the fact that a refund was neither requested nor desired)—and PA Social has shown itself to be a very difficult place to be banned from (in light of real trolls who were given multiple warnings over a reasonable period of time)—we can only assume these users grievously violated an unwritten rule. This lack of clarity led to a significant shift in atmosphere on Peterson Academy Social, as users wondered what they were and were not permitted to say.
The memes, articles and comments had several different themes:
- A request for clarification regarding the pricing for legacy students and “torch bearers”
- Clarity on the timeline for subsequent price increases
- Questions about accreditation, testing, lack of final exams, and the value of PA compared with other institutions and streaming platforms
- Concerns over what is and isn’t acceptable on PA Social (i.e. code of conduct)
- Comic relief
- Open letters to leadership explaining the students’ perspectives and causes for concern
This raises the following questions:
Was the expulsion for crossing a line with humour? Was it for bringing up uncomfortable questions the academy doesn’t want to address, or was it some other breach we have failed to identify as problematic?
Dr. Peterson, we have invested our time, hearts and energy into Peterson Academy because we believe in the values you have been championing for the past decade. Our loyalty and goodwill towards your endeavour are sincere. We cannot help but note the disconnect between your own values—speaking truth, fearlessly asking difficult questions, and aiming upward—and the conduct of this academy towards the students who have been banned. Proverbs 18:17 says,
“The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.”
The consensus amongst students is that you are our only hope for restoring the vision, optimism, and perhaps even classically-liberal ethos we anticipated at Peterson Academy. We hope you’ll turn your attention to the situation, and give a fair hearing to the perspectives of both the academy and the students who have been expelled (though relevant content has since been erased from the platform in conjunction with account removals). Most of the deplatformed students have expressed their desire to stay, as well as a heartfelt commitment to their education and community.
We know we are a small minority of enrollees, but we pride ourselves on being torchbearers in this noble educational endeavour—which we truly believe will change the world. Any time and attention you are willing to devote to this matter would mean the world to us, as we hope to continue on this adventure together for years to come.
With Respect and Gratitude,
Dusty May Taylor
Frankie Joy Bailer
And Other Concerned Current and Former Students of Peterson Academy
dustymaytaylor.com 