No Agenda Show Episode 1841 - “Scott Adams Redux”

Date: February 8, 2026
Hosts: Adam Curry & John C. Dvorak
Special Feature: Retrospective Interview with Scott Adams (Dilbert creator)

Overview

This Super Bowl Sunday episode pays tribute to the late Scott Adams, best known as the creator of Dilbert. Adam and John open with their trademark media deconstruction, a humorous review of Super Bowl prop bets, and reflections on NFL politics, but the core of this episode is an in-depth retrospective interview between John C. Dvorak and Scott Adams, recorded before COVID. The interview explores Adams’ career, philosophy, and personal history, offering a rare look at his perspective and life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Super Bowl 2026: Politics & Prop Bets (00:31–08:08)

• The teams: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots (“Boston Patriots” slip corrected).
• Framing the game through political and cultural lenses, concluding that both cities’ politics are left-leaning.
• Discussion of the NFL's perceived anti-Trump leanings and influence in decisions like Hall of Fame snubs.
• Humorous take on “rigging” in sports and political symbolism on the field.
• Entertaining tour of Super Bowl prop bets, skewering the politicization of sports and the commercialization of halftime.

Notable Quotes:

• "Why don’t they put a big Marxist flag on the field? ... They should. They might as well." – Adam Curry (05:22)
• “If you go with the basic thesis we run to predict these games, Seattle has to win.” – Adam Curry (05:27)

2. Remembering Scott Adams & Setting Up the Interview (09:24–15:02)

• Tribute to Scott Adams’ legacy and personal relationship with John.
• Backstory: John describes visiting Adams, his eccentricities, and humorous anecdotes about his personal life (marriages, house with no art, heated marble floors).
• Transition to playing their pre-pandemic interview as an homage.

Notable Quotes:

• “He had his thing about affirmations… and I saw a lot of bongs around the house, and that was about it.” – Adam Curry (13:34)
• “If you’re ever going to build a house... the key to success is heated floors.” – Scott Adams/Adam Curry relay (14:11)

3. The Retrospective Interview: John C. Dvorak & Scott Adams

Begins at 15:48, segmented by topic:

A. Origins and Dilbert’s Early Days (15:48–24:39)

• Adams describes working as an engineer, introducing Adam to “the Web” in 1993.
• Reveals inspiration for Dilbert: the universality of management incompetence across big corporations (“same management problems, same way people think…”).
• Breakthrough moment: Adams leverages email feedback to shift Dilbert’s focus exclusively to workplace humor, combining art with business instinct.

Notable Quotes:

• “Management problems are universal... that was really the inspiration behind Dilbert.” – Scott Adams (19:35)
• “I applied business techniques to the artistic realm.” – Scott Adams (21:40)

B. Artistry, Humor, and Skills (23:01–25:36)

• Family influence (mother: landscape artist; father: doodling).
• Development of a unique, “brute force” cartoon style.
• Discusses his “absurdist” and “observational” sense of humor: “I call it cognitive blind spots. I’m looking for places where otherwise smart people are doing something... that doesn’t look smart.” (25:04)

C. Corporate Departure and Career Pivot (25:49–29:36)

• Story of leaving Pacific Bell—amicable but impersonal, highlighting the absurdities Adams lampoons.
• Colleagues tried to keep him as a sales asset, but management priorities prevailed.
• Reader emails became a rich stream for material post-corporate life.

D. Technical Tools and Artistic Evolution (30:12–33:49)

• Switched to digital drawing after developing "focal dystonia"—a hand spasm condition from overuse.
• Unusually, digital drawing did not trigger the spasm, and with therapy he partially remediated it.

Notable Quotes:

• “When I drew on the computer... my brain did not recognize it as drawing for whatever reason.” – Scott Adams (33:15)
• “It probably cut my [work] load by over 50%.” – Scott Adams (33:41)

E. Health, Twitchiness & Vocal Recovery (34:34–41:27)

• Playful discussion on Tourette’s and neatnik tendencies (“Maybe I have it, what are the symptoms? I thought I should be swearing out loud.” – Scott Adams, 34:46).
• Adams describes losing his voice for 3.5 years due to spasmodic dysphonia, eventual experimental nerve surgery, and the long road to recovery.

Memorable Moment:
“The world expert on this specific [hand spasm] condition lived in my town and was in my HMO… I believe I’m the first person who’s ever remediated or solved that problem.” – Scott Adams (33:12)

F. Politics, Persuasion, & Public Perception (42:02–53:23)

• Adams: “I am not a Republican”; doesn’t vote but is fascinated by politics.
• Explains his analysis of Trump’s “persuasion skills”—emphasizes that analyzing does not equate to being an “apologist.”
• Reveals he is a trained hypnotist and discusses how that frames his perspective on human irrationality.

Notable Quotes:

• “Once you can reprogram [people] so easily, you realize... their rational minds are not really running the show.” – Scott Adams (44:48)

• “History will record [Trump] ... in terms of public speaking, best ever?” – Scott Adams (50:00)

• Personal and professional costs of public political opinion: “Probably 40% of my income evaporated and 75% of my social circle. Yeah, I’m quite an outcast.” (51:05)

G. Ventures, Startups, and Investments (53:23–79:28)

• Restaurant investing: tales of legal headaches and ill-timed expansion post-9/11.
• Blight Authority: collaborative project aiming to clean up urban blight and create development opportunities.
• Startup: “WenHub” – an ‘expert on demand’ video call app integrating blockchain; Adams is involved in vision, development, and branding.

Notable Quotes:

• “The first restaurant was wildly popular. The second… I signed the lease the day that the Twin Towers were coming down.” – Scott Adams (54:45)
• “[WenHub] ... is like a Tinder for experts.” – Scott Adams (76:38)

H. Personal Life & Preferences (57:15–75:34)

• Education: Valedictorian, undergraduate in economics, MBA from Berkeley.
• Diet: Pescatarian, occasional vegetarian, has included vegetarian/vegan themes in Dilbert.
• Technology: Lifelong tech tinkerer, prefers Mac and iPhone for UI but credits Google for life-changing information.
• Cars & Dining: Drives a BMW SUV, not a car enthusiast; prefers mid-level Italian restaurants over trendy gourmet spots. Does not drink alcohol.
• TV and Books: Enjoys “The Five” and “Greg Gutfeld Show” on Fox, doesn’t read much fiction, prefers nonfiction and direct experience.

I. Quick Opinions: Notables & News (58:53–70:16)

• Mike Pence: “Perfect... as the emergency spare, the backup. Subtract everything interesting from Trump, you have Pence.” (59:09)
• Trump: Impressed by his charisma and persuasion, has met in person at the Oval Office.
• Kellyanne Conway: Loyal, talented campaigner.
• Rachel Maddow: “Insanely smart and talented ... can’t deny the talent.” (63:26)
• Silicon Valley billionaires: Finds them generally fascinating, many are Democrats, speculates on factors behind this.
• Favorite TV: “The Five” on Fox; finds it the best mix of news and entertainment.

J. Closing & Reflections (80:21–81:20)

• Current and future Dilbert projects, including compilations and daily calendars.
• Explanation behind some Dilbert characters, such as Catbert (HR as a cat—“because HR directors don’t care if you live or die, just like playing with you”).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Why don’t they put a big Marxist flag on the field? ... They should. They might as well.” – Adam Curry (05:22)
• “Management problems are universal... that was really the inspiration behind Dilbert.” – Scott Adams (19:35)
• “If you started with Trump and subtracted everything that makes him interesting, you’d have Pence.” – Scott Adams (59:09)
• “Once you can reprogram [people] so easily, you realize... their rational minds are not really running the show.” – Scott Adams (44:48)
• “Probably 40% of my income evaporated and 75% of my social circle.” – Scott Adams (51:05)
• “[WenHub] ... is like a Tinder for experts.” – Scott Adams (76:38)
• “Your HR director doesn’t care if you live or die. Just likes playing with you.” – Scott Adams, on Catbert (80:46)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:31–08:08 — Super Bowl, Prop Bets, NFL Politics
• 09:24–15:02 — Remembering Scott Adams and Setup for Interview
• 15:48–81:20 — Scott Adams Interview (Dilbert origins, business philosophy, health, tech, politics, startup)
• 81:20–85:44 — Post-interview banter: feed ownership, death, residuals, and concluding Super Bowl wishes

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the playful, irreverent, and intellectually skeptical tone that defines No Agenda. Adam and John poke fun at official narratives (sports, media, even podcasting itself), while the extensive Scott Adams interview mixes dry humor, self-effacement, and candor—hallmarks of both Adams and Dvorak.

For New Listeners

This episode stands out as a time-capsule tribute to Scott Adams, offering not only a thorough biographical sweep but priceless insights for anyone interested in creativity, media, corporate absurdity, resilience, and the unpredictable intersections of art, business, and politics.