Real Coffee with Scott Adams – Episode 3015 CWSA 11/11/25
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Scott Adams
Theme: Viewing current events through the “persuasion filter,” with insights on politics, media, AI, and culture.
Main Theme & Purpose
Scott Adams uses his “persuasion filter” to discuss and dissect the latest happenings in politics, media, and society. In this episode, he covers topics ranging from AI bias, the government shutdown, current leadership in both parties, ongoing debates about election integrity, and cultural observations, interwoven with his personal perspectives and persuasive techniques.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Deathbed Reframe: Handling Stressful Problems
- Scott shares a mental trick from his book Reframe Your Brain:
- “If it's not going to matter on your deathbed, it probably doesn't matter that much.” [05:20]
- He applies this to daily frustrations (printer issues, etc.) and encourages the audience to reduce anxiety by placing problems in perspective.
2. Veterans Day & Acknowledgment
- Rather than offering a generic “Happy Veterans Day,” Scott expresses genuine respect and gratitude for veterans.
- “All respect to you veterans. I am quite aware that the quality of my life directly springs from the fact that there are brave people who go to war when it needs to be done...” [07:30]
3. Campus Violence: TPUSA at UC Berkeley
- Reports on violence during a Turning Point USA event at UC Berkeley, sharing his own journey at Haas School of Business and his sense of disconnection from what Berkeley has become.
- “Now, Berkeley turned into a garbage pit. I take no pride in it whatsoever. I'm still happy I did the work, but I don't care about the degree.” [14:20]
4. AI Bias & Political Leanings
- Discusses a University of Zurich study showing AI systems become biased when told the source (left or right-leaning) of information.
- Even a Chinese AI, “Deep Seq,” shows anti-China bias from its training data. [18:00]
5. Persuasion & Predictions in Politics
- Praises Dana Perino for confidently predicting Democrats would cave on the government shutdown.
- “What I loved was she was so confident about the outcome… and 100% right. Nailed it.” [20:10]
- Breaks down Jon Stewart’s criticism of Chuck Schumer’s handling of the shutdown (“He traded what he wanted for a promise to not get what he wanted later.”) [22:30]
6. Van Jones & Democrat Narrative Tactics [25:14]
- Analyzes Van Jones' narrative—accusing Republicans of being “not that into Americans,” letting planes fall from the sky, and children starve.
- Scott critiques these “mind-reading” and character attacks, classifying them as hallmarks of projection and imaginary problems.
7. Election Integrity: Changing Democratic Perspectives
- Notes Jasmine Crockett’s demand to abolish Dominion machines, highlighting the shift as Democrats now question election security—an issue previously dismissed.
- Suggests Trump should humorously invite her to collaborate on paper ballots for extra security. [41:50]
8. Supreme Court, Ballot Deadlines & System Confidence [33:40]
- SCOTUS may take up a case that could set national rules on ballot counting deadlines. Scott argues for confidence and consistency, questioning why the U.S. can't match other countries for speed.
9. 50-Year Mortgages & Housing Perspectives
- Trump’s take: “All it means is you pay less per month, you pay it over a longer period of time.” [35:26]
- Scott adds downside: "You might live your entire life and never own your house completely."
10. Arguments Over Argentina & Swap Lines
- Explains Scott Bessant’s take (“Do you know what a swap line is?”) as MSNBC mislabels international monetary policy as a “bailout.” [39:40]
- “If Scott Bessant tells me it’s a good idea and it works, I’m going to believe it.” [41:07]
11. Media Manipulation & University Roles in Censorship
- Highlights Mike Benz’s work on how universities cooperate with international actors to enable global censorship and propagandize students, circumventing U.S. law. [45:07]
12. The Persuasion Power of Comparative Framing
- Scott walks through a “thought experiment” (52:00):
- Imagine taking an IQ test in a room of prominent conservative thinkers (Victor Davis Hanson, Ben Shapiro, Scott Bessant, Jordan Peterson, Thomas Massie, Mike Benz, David Sacks, Elon Musk).
- Compare this to a similar test surrounded by prominent Democratic politicians.
- “Did you feel how powerful that was that I put you in the room first with the conservatives and then with the Democrats? You could feel that, couldn’t you?” [55:20]
- Uses this as a persuasive tool—putting someone “in the story” for maximum effect.
13. Leadership Troubles among Democrats
- Notes Ro Khanna, Seth Moulton, and Ed Markey calling for Chuck Schumer’s ouster, reflecting Democratic disarray post-shutdown. [59:20]
14. Podcasting Excellence: Cheryl Hines vs. Other Political Spouses
- Highlights Cheryl Hines (RFK Jr’s wife) as a model guest: "charismatic and likable … never leaves her lane."
- Contrasts favorably with Michelle Obama, Jimmy Kimmel’s wife, and others. [1:00:20]
15. Cost of Living & “Czar” Proposals
- Bill O’Reilly's idea for a “cost of living czar” is critiqued.
- “If people had great ideas for lowering costs, don’t you think we’d be noodling on those all the time?” [1:06:10]
16. Chinese Students & US Colleges: Trump’s Perspective
- Trump is open to 600,000 Chinese students in US colleges, saying it's necessary for college finances and could have diplomatic benefits.
- Scott speculates about US intelligence interests and the importance of not assuming Trump’s entire rationale. [1:09:22]
17. AI Chip Wars: Nvidia, SoftBank, and Elon Musk
- SoftBank selling its Nvidia stake to invest more in OpenAI; Musk potentially building cheaper, better chips.
- “If Elon says, ‘I’m going to compete and beat it with a 90% cheaper product,’ maybe you believe it.” [1:14:10]
18. Color Revolutions: US State Department Activities
- Reports on leaked audio suggesting US government personnel discussed using encrypted messaging and global partnerships to “mobilize against authoritarianism” inside the US, possibly akin to “color revolution” tactics. [1:19:40]
19. Hemp Legislation & Rand Paul’s Advocacy
- Backs Senator Paul’s objection to proposed restrictions that would hurt the Kentucky hemp industry.
- “There’s no reason the hemp business should be crippled. That would be not understanding what hemp is.” [1:22:30]
20. Ukraine War: The Robot War Era
- Notes lack of casualty reporting may signal most frontline fighting is via drones, not infantry.
- “It’s a war where they stopped counting casualties.” [1:25:12]
21. China’s Fentanyl Promises
- Dismisses China's “pledge” to crack down on fentanyl production as empty, likening it to Schumer’s negotiation tactics.
- “They didn’t actually ban the fentanyl chemicals. They just made a pledge to crack down on it.” [1:29:40]
22. Personal Note: Cancer, Pain, and Hope
- Scott shares good health news: pain-free for the first time in months.
- “Today’s the first day in… probably since June at least, that I’ve not been in pain in the morning. I’m not in pain.” [1:31:36]
- Reflects on treatment progress and variability of symptoms.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If it’s not going to matter on your deathbed, it probably doesn’t matter that much.” (Scott Adams, 05:20)
- “Now, Berkeley turned into a garbage pit. I take no pride in it whatsoever.” (14:20)
- “Van Jones says, Republicans are just not that into Americans right now. Really, the best you have is reading the minds of Republicans and it looks all evil in there.” (25:14)
- “He traded what he wanted for a promise to not get what he wanted later. That’s exactly what happened.” (Jon Stewart via Scott, 22:30)
- “You could never know what happened that you don’t know about [in elections].” (Scott Adams, 43:24)
- “Do you know what a swap line is? … Why would you call that a bailout?” (Scott Bessant, recapped by Scott Adams, 39:40)
- “If Elon says, ‘I’m going to compete and beat it with a 90% cheaper product,’ maybe you believe it.” (Scott Adams, 1:14:10)
- “It’s a war where they stopped counting casualties.” (Scott Adams, 1:25:12)
- “Today’s the first day ... that I’ve not been in pain in the morning. I’m not in pain.” (1:31:36)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Deathbed Reframe: 05:20
- Veterans Day Remarks: 07:30
- Berkeley Violence & Personal MBA Story: 10:50 – 14:20
- AI Bias Research: 18:00
- Dana Perino Shutdown Predictions: 20:10
- Jon Stewart / Chuck Schumer Mockery: 22:30
- Van Jones on GOP Mind-Reading: 25:14
- Supreme Court / Ballot Deadlines: 33:40
- Trump on 50-Year Mortgage: 35:26
- Swap Line Explanation: 39:40
- Election Security / Dominion Machines: 41:50
- Mike Benz & University Censorship: 45:07
- IQ Test Persuasion Exercise: 52:00 – 55:20
- Cheryl Hines on Podcasting: 1:00:20
- Bill O’Reilly / Cost of Living Czar: 1:06:10
- Trump & Chinese Students Speculation: 1:09:22
- SoftBank, Nvidia, Musk: 1:14:10
- Color Revolution Disclosures: 1:19:40
- Rand Paul, Hemp, Kentucky: 1:22:30
- Ukraine – Robot War Theory: 1:25:12
- China’s Fentanyl “Promises”: 1:29:40
- Personal Cancer Health Update: 1:31:36
Closing Thoughts
- Scott uses humor, personal anecdotes, and persuasive techniques to analyze complex news topics through his unique lens.
- Emphasizes critical thinking, challenges media narratives, and illustrates persuasion dynamics.
- Ends on an uplifting personal note, sharing his health progress and reflection on gratitude.
For listeners and those interested in critical media analysis, persuasion psychology, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on politics and culture, this episode offers both insight and practical lessons—especially in how narratives are formed and challenged across the ideological spectrum.