Scott Adams died on January 13, at the age of 68.
I first came across Scott Adams when he had an interview with Sam Harris. The theme was Trump, and the fact that Scott had been one of the very few to predict a Trump win in 2016, mainly on the basis of his view that Trump was using classic persuasion techniques.
Over the years I've watched his morning shows, Coffee with Scott Adams, with some regularity. I found him a unique mind. Often I didn't agree with his views, but if I didn't, I had to think hard to work out why. For much else, I was either persuaded or agreed with him. The one thing about him that really got on my goat was that he was a very defensive character and if people criticised him, he got very tetchy.
These are what I think will be my lasting memories of his "teachings" (as he called them):
One movie two, screens. How we can see the same thing, but have very different readings of it. See, eg, the recent ICE shooting of a young woman protester, which has plenty of video. The Dems say it was "murder". The Reps say it was "self defence".
Framing: how you frame something can have a big effect. He framed drinking alcohol as being drinking poison. That's pretty strong stuff!
Talent Stacks: work at adding each talent you have to the stack of existing talents, until you become a unique talent stack, useful to many employers.
Systems over goals. This is one of the best one of his teachings. It's important. It seems to me that the Dems in America are all about Goals, which they see as being important and makes them feel good; and Reps, who are all about Systems, that making something better is the better way to go, rather than reaching for the impossible goal.
I'll quote from the Grokipedia article on Systems over Goals:
In his 2013 book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life, Scott Adams introduced the systems versus goals framework as a core element of his personal success philosophy, arguing that pursuing repeatable processes yields better long-term outcomes than fixating on discrete targets.[59][60] Adams summarizes that goals put individuals in a state of "nearly continuous failure" until achieved, while systems let one "succeed every time [they apply them]."[61] He defines a goal as a specific, future-oriented objective—such as losing 20 pounds or running a marathon—that often fosters discouragement and dependency on willpower.[61] In contrast, a system comprises habitual actions performed regularly, like maintaining a healthy diet or exercising daily, which generate incremental progress and daily satisfaction regardless of ultimate attainment.[62][59]
Adams attributes his own career achievements, including the syndication of Dilbert in 1989, to systems-oriented habits such as consistent content creation and skill-building rather than rigid milestones.[60] He posits that systems enhance probability of success by compounding small wins and adapting to setbacks, whereas goals risk demotivation upon non-achievement or complacency post-success, citing observational evidence from high achievers who prioritize routines over endpoints.[59][62] For instance, in career advancement, a goal might be "get promoted to manager," inducing anxiety during the interim, while a system of networking daily and upskilling continuously builds momentum and opportunities organically.[60]
The framework extends to broader life domains, including fitness and business, where Adams claims systems reduce reliance on fleeting motivation and align with human psychology's preference for immediate reinforcement.[59] He illustrates this with dieting: a weight-loss goal creates binary failure until met, but an "eat right" system succeeds with each compliant meal, sustaining adherence over time.[61] Adams has reiterated this concept in subsequent writings and podcasts, positioning it as a tool for probabilistic success in uncertain environments, though he acknowledges it complements rather than replaces all forms of planning.
Greg Gutfeld: "Scott Adams was a MONUMENTAL person". Scott Adams, a non-traditional thinker.
