Real Coffee with Scott Adams – Episode 3017 CWSA 11/13/25

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Scott Adams
Main Theme: Persuasion in Current Events – Analyzing politics, media, and news via a “persuasion filter” with lessons for listeners' thinking and reframing.

Episode Overview

Scott Adams covers a wide range of current political news, interpersonal dynamics, and the mechanics of persuasion as they play out in headline events. Adams uses examples from recent news stories, offering reframes and commentary on how language, framing, and motivations drive political outcomes and public perception.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reframe of the Day: The Shelf Space Technique

• [03:00]
  • Rather than trying to suppress negative thoughts, crowd them out with positive ones.
  • Quote: “Don’t try to unthink – you can’t do it… Think more of things that you want, more of things you’ve enjoyed… and you will crowd out that time you wasted with negative thoughts.”
    (03:45, Scott Adams)

Government Reopening & Negotiation Framing

• [05:20]
  • According to Adams, the shutdown’s end surprised no one and exhibited the system’s ineptitude.
  • Key persuasion advice: Don’t rub it in or claim the other side “caved.” It’s bad for future negotiation, even for outside observers.
  • Quote: “Don’t say they caved. Even if you’re just an observer… what good is that to you? It feels good for like a second and then you can never work with them again.”
    (07:10, Scott Adams)

Persuasion Lessons: Power of Affirmation in Political Messaging

• [13:00]
  • Comparing political slogans: “Make America Great Again” vs “We Need a Fighter.”
  • Slogans become affirmations; the desired outcome should be the positive, not the fight.
  • Quote: “If you pick the wrong affirmation, you’re going to still get the thing. You affirmed: a fight. The Democrats are actually asking for fighting. Do you think they’ll get it? Yes, yes, they actually get fights.”
    (14:50, Scott Adams)

China’s Pledge to Halt Fentanyl Precursor Exports

• [19:40]

  • Discussion of Cash Patel’s claim that China has agreed (again) to halt key ingredients for fentanyl production.

  • Adams is skeptical, likening it to “Charlie Brown and the football.”

  • Quote: “Why do we think this would work? I have no idea. It’s not like it’s the first time… I won’t mention Charlie Brown and the football...Damn it. I couldn’t do it.”
    (21:30, Scott Adams)

  • Speculation that a secret trade-off may have occurred (e.g., allowing 600,000 Chinese students in the U.S. in exchange).

Katie Couric, John Fetterman, and the “High Ground Maneuver”

• [25:00]
  • Adams mocks Katie Couric for trying to provoke anti-Trump quotes out of John Fetterman, who refuses and takes the high road instead.
  • Quote:
    • Fetterman: “We’re not in an autocracy, we’re in a democracy.” (27:50, quoting Fetterman)
    • “If you can pull off a high ground maneuver in any context… you’re going to win almost everything.” (29:15, Scott Adams)

Border Tunnels and Surveillance Technology

• [32:10]
  • New tech “Persistent Surveillance and Detection System (PDS)” is being upgraded to detect tunnels under the border.
  • Adams expresses surprise at the advanced state of tunnel detection tech.

Rogan’s Theory: “Fine People Hoax” as Distraction from Russiagate

• [34:00]
  • Adams shares a Joe Rogan insight: The “Fine People Hoax” was a media distraction, designed to pull attention from Russiagate.
  • Adams calls it “one of the worst things I’ve ever seen” in politics.
  • Quote: “He threw us under the bus... We had to live painted as a bunch of neo Nazi supporters... Unbelievably despicable.”
    (38:00, Scott Adams)

Eric Swalwell’s Residency Question

• [40:50]
  • Reports allege Rep. Eric Swalwell may not have a California address, raising questions about his eligibility.
  • Adams cautions: Skepticism warranted; “we can’t find it” is a weak argument.

Epstein Files and Trump

• [43:30]
  • New emails allege anti-Trump journalist Michael Wolff suggested blackmailing Trump using Epstein-related leverage.
  • Accusations about Trump are described as “gossip-level,” with no credible or actionable allegations.
  • Adams explores innocence explanations (e.g., sharing a plane) and notes that the main accuser had previously recanted high-profile accusations.
  • Quote: “If you’re missing all the details of who the person is and why they spent time... it’s not really a story...”
    (49:00, Scott Adams)
  • Speculation on why Trump may not want the files released (potential sensitive info about allies/leverage rather than direct wrongdoing).

Reactions in Media: News “Bubbles”

• [61:00]
  • Claim that right-leaning media largely ignored the Epstein email story, while the left pushed it.
  • Suggests this illustrates Trump’s growing influence over right-leaning outlets.

Trump Urges Israeli President to Pardon Netanyahu

• [66:00]
  • Trump writes a letter requesting Netanyahu’s pardon, arguing he and Bibi make a great team.
  • Adams questions the severity of the allegations (expensive gifts vs. major corruption).
  • Wonders if the Epstein and Israel timeline overlap is a coincidence.

Persuasion Lesson: “We Need a Conversation”

• [72:00]
  • Analysis of NYC Mayor Mamdani’s approach to Trump: Offers to “have a conversation,” which Adams calls weak framing.
  • Quote: “Never use the word conversation if you’re trying to be a person who gets stuff done... I got myself a conversation.”
    (73:30, Scott Adams)

The Origin of Cognitive Dissonance: A Surprising Backstory

• [75:25]
  • The psychological phenomenon’s foundational case (1954 doomsday cult) turns out to be mostly fiction.
  • The cult adjusted to reality when their prediction failed—in contrast to the cognitive dissonance myth.

Drones as the Future of Warfare

• [79:00]
  • US Army plans to purchase a million drones; Adams highlights importance of drone supremacy in modern conflict.

Russia & Ukraine Peace Talks – Skepticism

• [80:40]
  • Reports of Russia possibly seeking peace talks. Adams is highly skeptical, noting both countries may just be seeking to avoid winter hardship as drone warfare takes center stage.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Affirmations:
  “Don’t do accidental affirmations. Affirmations are pretty powerful… if you’re doing the right one, there’s a better chance you’ll get that thing… If you pick the wrong affirmation, you’re going to still get the thing. You affirmed a fight.” (14:45)

• On Fighting in Politics:
  “The Democrats are actually asking for fighting. Do you think they’ll get it? Yes, yes, they actually get fights.” (15:12)

• On High Ground Maneuver:
  “If you can pull off a high ground maneuver in any context… you’re going to win almost everything. Because the high ground approach is unassailable by definition.” (29:15)

• Mocking Katie Couric:
  “Wouldn’t you agree that Donald Trump has stolen our democracy? No. But wouldn’t you agree he’s an authoritarian? No, not really. But wouldn’t you agree he’s probably murdered children? Probably. Right?” (28:00, impersonation)

• On Gossip vs. Legal Weight of Epstein Claims:
  “The new information, the new emails do not have legal weight. … What they do have is gossip weight, meaning they will trigger gossip and … false beliefs. This is a gossip level story.” (63:30)

• On Conversation as a Goal:
  “Never use the word conversation if you’re trying to be a person who gets stuff done. … I got myself a conversation.” (73:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:00] – Shelf-Space Reframe for negative thoughts
• [05:20] – Government reopened: Framing negotiations and lessons
• [13:00] – Affirmations and political slogans
• [19:40] – China, fentanyl, and “Charlie Brown and the football” analogy
• [25:00] – Katie Couric, John Fetterman, and “high ground maneuver”
• [34:00] – Joe Rogan’s insight: Fine People Hoax as Russiagate distraction
• [43:30] – New Epstein emails, Michael Wolff, and Trump
• [61:00] – Media reactions: News “bubbles” and Trump’s media influence
• [66:00] – Trump, Israel, and Netanyahu pardon request
• [72:00] – NYC Mayor and the problem with “conversations” as political framing
• [75:25] – Cognitive dissonance origin myth
• [79:00] – Drones and the future of military power
• [80:40] – Russia/Ukraine “peace talks” and winter strategy

Tone & Style

Scott Adams remains snarky, irreverent, and often playful (“Carl the Fly” becomes a running joke throughout). He uses exaggeration, mocking impersonations, and rhetorical questions to keep the discussion lively while drawing out larger persuasion and framing lessons from political news.

Conclusion

Scott Adams uses this episode to highlight how persuasion, reframing, and careful use of language shape political stories and public understanding. He encourages listeners to see through manipulation, understand the value of high ground, and beware of gossip-driven narratives. The recurring motif: those who understand and wisely wield the tools of persuasion – in slogans, negotiations, or interpersonal dealings – ultimately shape outcomes and perception.