504. Fired for Honesty and Competence: One Genuine Teacher's Story | Warren Smith
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Deep Dive
Why did Warren Smith's video about J.K. Rowling go viral?
The video went viral because of its calm demeanor, intelligent questioning, and professional handling of a contentious topic, which was rare among teachers at the time. Elon Musk retweeting it further amplified its reach.
What was the immediate impact of the video going viral on Warren Smith's life?
The video's virality led to an explosive effect on Warren's life, including being fired from his full-time teaching position and receiving an invitation to appear on Piers Morgan's show.
How did Warren Smith handle the conversation about J.K. Rowling's opinions with his student?
Warren handled the conversation by asking pertinent questions to clarify the student's understanding and to critically think about the issue, rather than accepting the student's initial assumptions.
Why did Warren Smith decide to go on Piers Morgan's show despite potential risks?
Warren decided to go on Piers Morgan's show because he believed in the importance of not throwing away spectacular opportunities and understood that regret for not taking chances is a unique form of pain.
What was the consequence of Warren Smith's appearance on Piers Morgan's show at his school?
After appearing on Piers Morgan's show, Warren was called into a meeting with the school's executive director and her team of lawyers, who congratulated him but also warned him about the risks of his actions.
How did the school's administration initially respond to Warren Smith's viral video?
The school's administration initially congratulated Warren for the video but also expressed concern about the potential risks and advised him to be cautious in the future.
What was the final decision made by the school regarding Warren Smith's employment?
The school decided to part ways with Warren, citing his uploading of a video to YouTube against policy, despite his previous video being allowed and celebrated.
How did Warren Smith's students react to the attention his video received?
The students were largely insulated from the attention, with the school handling communications with parents. The student involved in the video was fine with it, but the school took precautions to ensure no further involvement.
What advice does Warren Smith have for educators regarding handling controversial topics?
Warren advises educators to lead by example, treat teaching as a performance art, and use technology like YouTube to engage students and document their teaching for portfolios.
What philosophical insight does Warren Smith draw from his experience with the viral video?
Warren draws the insight that voluntarily entering the unknown, even when it's risky, is often necessary for personal growth and can lead to unexpected opportunities and success.
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