Real Coffee with Scott Adams
Episode 2950 CWSA 09/06/25
Date: September 6, 2025
Overview
In this Saturday morning episode, Scott Adams brings listeners up to speed on key current events—viewed through what he calls a “persuasion filter.” Adams covers topics ranging from climate model skepticism, AI lawsuits, and privacy concerns, to the politics of redistricting, polling, vaccine debates, and media narratives about public figures. Throughout, he injects his characteristic blend of humor and critical thinking, frequently challenging the surface narratives presented in mainstream media.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Correction: Tesla Robo Taxi App
- [02:10] Adams opens by correcting a previous error:
“I mistakenly thought that that app was to turn your own car into a robo taxi… That's probably just the app for calling a Robo taxi.”
2. Skepticism about Peer-Reviewed Science & Climate Models
- [03:10–06:00] Discusses a new peer-reviewed paper finding sea levels haven’t risen as much as climate models predicted.
- Emphasizes confirmation bias:
“Have you noticed that… when the science is in the direction of something I want to be true, that I automatically assume it must be some pretty solid science?”
- Mocks the overconfidence in climate models:
“Wait till they find out about the climate models… There's not the slightest chance that in the future they will say, those climate models, they really nailed it.”
3. WiFi Heartbeat Tracking & the Rise of ‘Creepy Houses’
- [06:20] WI-FI routers could soon passively track not just location but vital health metrics.
“Somebody's going to build the world's creepiest house that can detect all of your medical problems as soon as you walk in.”
4. Big Tech Lawsuits & Privacy Violations
- [07:10-09:00] Google ordered to pay large fines for privacy violations, including indirect user tracking through partner apps even after opting out.
- “It feels like the lawsuits are at a point where you would have to be the size of Google just to survive all the lawsuits.”
5. AI & Intellectual Property Lawsuits
- [09:35–11:30] Apple is the latest company sued for using books in AI training without permission.
- Predicts legal challenges will shape which startups survive:
“That's the biggest challenge to any really successful startup is the legal stuff. Look at all of Tesla's lawsuits. It's just nothing but lawsuits.”
6. AI Hallucinations and Chips
- [11:35–13:30] OpenAI research suggests LLMs hallucinate because they're rewarded for guessing.
- Musings on US 'catching up’ in semiconductor manufacturing:
“It will seem like the U.S. is behind in chip making until very suddenly it isn't.”
7. News Narratives: Trump–Epstein FBI Informant Claim
- [13:35–16:40] Questions the claim that Trump was a secret FBI informant in the Epstein case.
“Does any of that track? ... So he was an FBI informant the whole time. Really? Really? Really?”
8. Redistricting: Political Game Theory
- [16:45] Framing Gavin Newsom’s threat to redistrict as 'self-destructive', not 'mutually assured destruction.'
“Newsom needs to learn the difference between destruction, in this case, self destruction of Democrats and mutually assured.”
9. Saturday Story: Eswatini Deportation
- [18:15] Tells the odd story of a deportee sent to Eswatini, adding humor about “prank-level” decision making.
10. Biden – Clemency & Pardon Chain of Command
- [23:51–25:30] Reports on evidence Biden delegated pardons to Harris and possibly never personally attended clemency meetings.
"...there's no evidence that Biden himself ever attended a meeting on any of these clemency decisions.”
11. Jobs Report and Economic Sentiment
- [25:35–26:10] Latest job numbers “a little soft and disappointing”, with minor unemployment uptick.
12. Department of Defense Renamed to Department of War
- [26:12–27:15] Trump’s move interpreted as 'about winning,' with roots possibly from defense contractor interests.
13. Hyundai Factory Raided for Illegal Workers
- [27:20–28:30] Notes the paradox: factory incentives to create jobs ended with nearly all jobs filled by non-citizens.
“I think you were maybe adhering to the letter of the law, but not the spirit.”
14. U.S. Funding & Responsibility in Africa
- [28:35–29:45] Critiques the expectation America must solve crises abroad, saying,
“It’s kind of weird that we just sort of assume that if we have the ability to save some life anywhere in the world and we don’t do it, that that means that we kill them.”
15. Vaccines, Polio, and Social Media Narrative
- [30:15] Mentions polio-vaccine skepticism circulating online; keeps a neutral, observational stance.
16. Trump Polls and Approval Bounce
- [31:23] Cites polls placing Trump at highest approval of his presidency (Daily Mail: 55%; Zogby: 46%).
“In today’s day and age, 46 [percent]—pretty strong.”
17. Younger Voters Preferring Socialism
- [34:50–37:15] 53% of likely voters under 40 want a socialist president according to Rasmussen.
- Puts himself in their shoes to empathize with the sentiment:
“Would I be in favor of capitalism… if I thought there was no real practical way [the American dream] could ever happen for me?”
18. Florida Vaccination Mandates Dropped
- [37:20] Considers it a “worthy experiment,” willing to let the data settle the health risk question.
19. Shaking Faith in Longstanding Health Guidance
- [38:30–40:28] New claims that some booster shots, flu vaccines, and beta blockers may do more harm than previously thought.
- “Science and guessing almost identical. Except that guessing is a little bit better.”
20. Bill Maher & RFK Jr. ‘Derangement Syndrome’
- [41:00–46:20] Dissects media portrayals of RFK Jr. as “nutty,” arguing there’s no evidence for claims about his professional decisions being crazy.
"There is an RFK Jr. TDS kind of thing, derangement syndrome... They’ve just been hypnotized and they’re not aware of it.”
21. Trump, National Guard, and ‘Dictatorship’ Fears
- [47:00] Questions Bill Maher and Sen. Duckworth’s warnings about Trump’s alleged authoritarian plans:
“What kind of dictator is pro-gun?... Even if he wanted to, how would that plan work?”
22. Nazi Analogies in Modern Discourse
- [49:15] Mocks continued analogies drawn between Trump and Hitler/Nazism on CNN.
23. Annual ‘Solar Window Breakthrough’ Story
- [50:25] Notes the perennial announcement of transparent solar windows, skeptical about real-world implementation:
“Is it just me or does this story come out once a year and has for my entire adult life?”
24. Rand Paul: Covid Lab Leak Private Consensus
- [51:00] Government privately accepted lab-leak as possible, but suppressed discussion publicly. Adams uncertain of practical impact.
25. Secret Projects & Government Corruption
- [52:00] Thomas Massie’s revelation: even Congress can’t really audit billions in black budget programs, to which Adams quips:
“If I were going to give a young person career advice… politics is where you can steal the most money with the lowest odds of being caught. No, I wouldn’t say that. Even though it’s true.”
26. More International News: Venezuela, North Korea, & Plastic-for-CO2
- [54:00–57:00] Comments on Venezuela getting Iranian missile boats; a reported (but questionable) story of US SEALs killing North Korean fishermen; and plastic waste converted to CO2 absorbent—again poking fun at “breakthrough” stories.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Confirmation Bias in Science
“I don't do as much skepticism on the science that agrees with me. This would be more of that.” (04:15)
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On the Practical Impact of Media Narratives
“Tens of millions of people have been convinced that RFK Jr is nutty when the truth is they've simply been hypnotized. That's it.” (45:45)
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On Socialism’s Appeal to Young Voters
“If you make me 20 years old, would I be leaning socialist? And maybe would socialists just mean something different to me?” (36:55)
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On Science and Chronic Uncertainty
“Science and guessing almost identical. Except that guessing is a little bit better.” (39:45)
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On Political Hypocrisy & Narrative
“You have to almost analyze it like a prank, like somebody with a sense of humor came up with this.” (Eswatini deportation story, 18:40)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Correction on Tesla Robo Taxi App: [02:10]
- Sea Level & Climate Model Critique: [03:10–06:00]
- WiFi Heartbeat Tracking: [06:20]
- Big Tech Privacy Fines: [07:10–09:00]
- AI Lawsuits and the Future of Startups: [09:35–11:30]
- OpenAI Hallucination Insight: [11:35]
- Trump/Epstein Informant Story Skepticism: [13:35–16:40]
- Redistricting Political Framing: [16:45]
- Eswatini Deportation Anecdote: [18:15]
- Biden Clemency Chain of Command: [23:51]
- Trump Rebrands DoD: [26:12]
- Hyundai Factory Raid: [27:20]
- Obligation to Aid Africa's HIV Crisis: [28:35]
- Young Voters & Socialism: [34:50]
- Florida Drops Vax Mandates: [37:20]
- Health Recommendations Debunked: [38:30]
- RFK Jr. and Media Derangement: [41:00]
- Bill Maher/National Guard Dictator Fear: [47:00]
- Trump/Hitler Analogies on CNN: [49:15]
- Secret Projects & Congressional Oversight: [52:00]
- Plastic–CO2 Breakthrough: [57:00]
Final Thoughts
Scott Adams uses this episode to highlight how media narratives, confirmation bias, and the legal landscape shape public perception far more than underlying facts. With humor and skepticism, he forwards “the really test” for confronting unlikely news stories and makes a repeated call for viewers to maintain healthy questioning of headlines, outrage cycles, and even entrenched scientific guidance.
For a deeper dive on persuasion, media narratives, and cognitive pitfalls, Adams recommends his book "LoserThink."