Real Coffee with Scott Adams

Episode 2972 CWSA 09/28/25

Date: September 28, 2025
Host: Scott Adams

Overview

In this wide-ranging episode, Scott Adams dissects recent news and trends through his "persuasion filter," mixing current events, psychology, and personal opinions with trademark humor and irreverence. Topics include AI’s role in Hollywood, the uncertainty around the TikTok deal, robotics in China versus the U.S., whistleblower dynamics at the FBI, media narratives around insurrection, education reform, and the shifting moral ground with Israel and Gaza. He also addresses the mechanics of political and ideological persuasion, while regularly engaging live chat commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening, Coffee Ritual, and Light Banter

• [00:00–02:30] Tech issues with his camera set the tone for an informal, off-the-cuff show.
• Scott acknowledges a birthday shout-out ("Ellie in Winnipeg, 12 years old") using his recurring "show is mostly magic" riff.

2. Health Science: Cocoa, Coffee & Anti-Aging

• [02:35] Cites a study from Mass General Brigham touting anti-aging benefits of cocoa supplements.
  • "If you're smart enough to combine your cocoa with your coffee, you can live forever. I think that's what science says." — Scott Adams [04:01]

3. Gut-Brain Link & Persuasion Filter

• [05:15] Discusses latest research (via Eric Nolan at PsyPost) on the gut-brain connection.
  • Argues the gut isn’t just influencing the brain, it is 'distributed brain.'
  • “Your body is your brain. They're not different.” — Scott Adams [05:50]

4. AI Hollywood & Runway: Why It Failed

• [07:30] Lionsgate tried (with Runway) to create a feature-length AI film. Failed due to copyrights, motivation issues, and workforce sabotage.
  • “How hard are they going to work to make sure that the AI can make a good movie? …Not excited. Not capable.” [09:10]
  • Predicts large incumbent workforces won’t embrace AI threatening their jobs.

5. The Elusive TikTok Deal & China

• [10:10] Skepticism over ongoing U.S.–China TikTok negotiations; China has been "conspicuously quiet."
  • "It's probably a 50–50. So don't get too excited about a TikTok deal; may or may not happen.” [11:10]

6. Robotics Race: China v. U.S.

• [12:30] U.S. factories installed 34,000 robots last year; China, 300,000.
  • Raises social consequences: “Doesn’t that mean that 300,000 people don’t have a job?... I don’t know how China survives.” [13:35]

7. AGI '5-10 Years Away'—The Moving Goalpost

• [15:00] Responds to Meta and Google DeepMind’s timeline for AGI.
  • “Five to ten years means ‘we have no idea how to do it...’ It’d be like saying we’ll have an anti-gravity car in five to ten years.” [16:05]

8. AI Talent Wars, Loyalty & Self-Interest

• [18:12] X AI (Musk) accuses OpenAI of 'talent poaching.'
• Advises listeners: "You owe them [your employer] nothing. If it's good for you to quit...do it every time." [20:05]
• “Your job is not your job. Your job is to get a better job.” [21:05]

9. Human Connection Versus AI

• [22:20] Notes Sam Altman’s comments that AI won’t be the “center of the human story.”
  • "We're wired to care about people, not machines." — Sam Altman [22:45]
  • Scott agrees—people respond primarily to one another, not machines.

10. Drone Incursions & Security Vulnerability in Europe

• [24:10] Drone activity grounds flights in a Danish airport; similar Russian drone concerns in Poland.
  • "They apparently don't have anything like an air defense." [25:10]
  • Engages in speculation: false flag operations, psychological operations, or inadequacy of defenses.

11. FBI Whistleblowers & Pressure on Comey

• [28:28] General Flynn claims a “flood” of FBI whistleblowers following Comey indictment.
  • Scott doubts Comey will flip: “The people he could flip on are the people that can kill you.” [30:00]

12. Michael Cohen, MSNBC & Weaponization Narrative

• [31:15] Cohen, now credible on MSNBC, claims evidence will vindicate Trump and convict Comey.
  • Scott relishes Cohen’s turn: “He just pisses in their punch bowl and they have to sit there and just take it." [33:00]

13. John Brennan’s 'Jumpiness'

• [34:30] Mocks Brennan’s demeanor denying wrongdoing. Jokes about potential drug use.
  • "He had the Gavin Newsom...a little bit too much jumpiness." [35:40]

14. Democrat Policy Satire

• [36:14] Suggests Democrats seek to eliminate whatever works (policing, capitalism, closed borders, homeschooling, high school sports).
  • "Am I making this up? That literally, they just look at what is working...and they go, I think we should get rid of that right away..." [37:18]

15. Epstein, Clinton, Trump, and Spying Webs

• [39:18] Unpacks Mike Benz’s take on Epstein as an intelligence broker among U.S., Israel, U.K., and Saudi agencies.
  • Discusses Clinton–Epstein connections; speculates Trump’s “protection” of Clinton as a possible loyalty dynamic. “That would be absolutely wild. Would it make you like Trump more or dislike him?” [45:00]

16. Stephen Miller & 'Insurrection' Rhetoric

• [47:33] Reads Miller’s condemnation of Obama-era officials for "insurrection"—advocates labeling opponents with the same term used for Jan. 6.
  • “We need to call them insurrectionists all day long…” [48:44]
• Suggests Bill Maher is “one hoax away” from quitting the Democrats.

17. The Weaponization of 'Insurrection'

• [52:28] Refutes insurrection charges against Jan. 6 protesters; notes few were armed, none charged with insurrection.
  • “If the people involved had no intention or…thought of overthrowing the country, that’s…How can you call that an insurrection?” [54:35]

18. Education: Activism, Unions, and Leaked Emails

• [01:01:15] Highlights paid protester syndicates; discusses an email showing teachers’ unions knowingly back poor-performing candidates for power, not results.
  • "They know it, and they're doing it anyway. Why? Power." [01:05:30]

19. Crime & Women in the Justice System

• [01:08:00] Describes massive alleged fraud in autism-related health care programs.
• Comments on young women doxxing ICE agents: wonders if women don’t anticipate jail time compared to men.

20. Historical Revision, Statues & the Politics of Memory

• [01:14:28] Compares honoring controversial figures (Asata Shakur, George Floyd) to Southern general statues; argues for sensitivity and flexibility re: public symbols.

21. Israel, Gaza, and the Morality Curve

• [01:26:00] Predicts that, should Israel expand and consolidate conquered land, Netanyahu may be remembered as a hero despite the moral ambiguity.
  • “They had 100% moral high ground… But once it turns to 65,000 [Gazans killed]…what does the public say now?” [01:31:20]

22. Ukraine’s Nuclear Plant at Risk; Robot Warfare Advances

• [01:36:17] A Ukrainian nuclear plant is dependent on backup power after Russian attacks; Ukraine develops more frontline robots.
  • “We’re getting closer and closer to the all robot war. I’ve been telling you, it’s coming.” [01:39:34]

23. Censorship, Telegram & International Coercion

• [01:41:18] Reads Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s account of French, Moldovan pressure to censor channels; exposes real-world back-channel manipulations.
  • "If you wondered what the real world is like... this is what the real world looks like." [01:44:00]

24. U.S.–Gaza Peace Plan Skepticism

• [01:45:28] Mocks feasibility of proposed U.S.-brokered 21-point Gaza plan: predicts neither Hamas nor Israel will accept.
  • "Why would you surrender if you knew you were going to go to jail or be killed? ...no reason." [01:46:31]

25. On Criticizing Israel: The ‘Unsafe’ Truth

• [01:49:00] Admits he censors criticism of Israel for personal safety; analyzes morality in war context.

26. Book Recommendations for Life Success

• [01:21:00 & scattered] Advocates his own books (Loserthink, When Bigly, How to Fail at Almost Everything, Reframe Your Brain) for mentorship and success tips.
  • “You would literally know everything you needed to succeed.” [01:23:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Your job is not your job. Your job is to get a better job." — Scott Adams [21:05]
• "We are wired to care about people, not machines." — Sam Altman (quoted by Adams) [22:45]
• “How hard are they going to work to make sure that the AI can make a good movie? ...Not excited. Not capable.” — Scott Adams [09:10]
• “If you eat cocoa, your inflammation markers will drop and you'll be happy. ...You will live forever.” — Scott Adams [04:01]
• “Five to ten years means we have no idea how to do it…” — Scott Adams on AGI [16:05]
• "That literally, they just look at what is working best to keep us safe and prosperous, and then they go, I think we should get rid of that right away..." — Scott Adams [37:18]
• “They know it, and they're doing it anyway. Why? Power.” — Scott Adams (re: teacher’s unions backing poor candidates) [01:05:30]
• “You’re always surrounded by monsters. They just happen to be in check.” — Scott Adams [01:11:45]
• “It’s not safe to honestly criticize Israel. Totally not safe.” — Scott Adams [01:49:30]
• “We’re getting closer and closer to the all robot war. I’ve been telling you, it’s coming.” — Scott Adams [01:39:34]
• “If Netanyahu intentionally traded off the October 7 Goodwill armor, but got a much bigger Israel… it’s going to look like a win.” — Scott Adams [01:33:50]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:50] — Body as “distributed brain”: Gut-brain linkage.
• [09:10] — Why the AI movie push failed.
• [16:05] — Skepticism on AGI timelines (“five to ten years away”).
• [21:05] — Adams' “quit for a better job” career advice.
• [22:45] — Sam Altman: “We’re wired to care about people, not machines.”
• [25:10] — Euro airspace drones — lack of effective defense.
• [33:00] — Michael Cohen’s MSNBC turn.
• [37:18] — Satire: Do Democrats “get rid of what works”?
• [47:33] — Miller's “insurrectionist” framing.
• [54:35] — Why January 6 wasn't an insurrection, according to Adams.
• [01:05:30] — Teacher’s unions knowingly back poor policies, per leaked email.
• [01:11:45] — “Surrounded by monsters” insight on human nature.
• [01:26:00] — Israel, morality, and historical memory.
• [01:39:34] — Rise of robot warfare in Ukraine.
• [01:44:00] — Telegram, censorship, and Western government pressure.

Overall, this episode delivers Scott Adams’ blend of sharp, contrarian commentary, pop psychology, and realpolitik, with frequent reframes and direct engagement with his live audience.