Lauren Southern – photo by Meaghan Gipps

As a teenager I naively rushed into the realm of politics, exhilarated by the opportunity to jump out of the academic training pool and into the arena. The deepest lessons to be learned in life come from actually living it, the deepest betrayals and sorrows as well as the most profound loves, loyalty and beauty.

Of course, the consequence of jumping into the arena too soon though, is you learn the most painful lessons through your own mistakes rather than by the parables of others. A theme both Jordan Peterson and Ron Dart give much weight to; the value of mythology and stories in guiding our deeper purpose and meaning in this lifetime.

We look at foolish missteps of innocent yet naive characters like Pinocchio or the deep sacrificial meaning in the story of Christ. What do these themes mean in our own life? How do we avoid the naivety of Pinocchio and the consequences of falling for swindlers and liars, how do we have the same forgiveness and love as Christ?

Questions I unfortunately never got much time to ponder as I was busy living my own adventure and making my own mistakes. On that adventure, I was, however, lucky enough to come across some sages and Gandalf or Dumbledore style mentors in my life, who almost certainly sent me on wiser and more considered routes on my journey.

I recall vividly the first time I saw Peterson standing on the steps of Sidney Smith Hall. I was there to rile up some debate with the more hysterical of students spitting curses and slander at him. Perhaps even to have a laugh at their expense and show the world the ridiculousness of those hoping to silence this professor over a simple philosophical disagreement.

In contrast to my enthusiasm when met with dramatics; Peterson had a deep sorrow in his eyes, a pain to the core of his soul that could hardly be conveyed properly by any second-hand medium. I have no doubt it came from his dedicated study of authoritarian regimes, his love of philosophy and how undeniably lost these youth appeared to be. Students who should be on those steps to expand their minds and soak in the thoughts and ideas of other scholars with love and curiosity. Students who should be learning the stories, parables, and history of men who foolishly fall into the traps of mob mentality picking up pitchforks rather than books. Learning of the consequences of demanding the death of critics rather than debate. Yet instead, these students so blessed with the gift of freedom and a voice had used it to fall into those very same traps once again.