Scott Raymond Adams (born June 8, 1957) is an American author and cartoonist. He is the creator of theDilbert comic strip and the author of several nonfiction works of business, commentary, and satire. Adams worked in various corporate roles before he became a full-time cartoonist in 1995. While working atPacific Bell in 1989, Adams createdDilbert. By the mid-1990s, the strip had gained national prominence in the United States and began to reach a worldwide audience.Dilbert remained popular throughout the following decades, spawning several books written by Adams.[1]
Adams writes in asatirical way about the social and psychological landscape ofwhite-collar workers in modern corporations. In addition, Adams has written books in various other areas, including thepandeistic spiritual novellaGod's Debris and books on political and management topics, includingLoserthink.
Adams was born on June 8, 1957,[6] inWindham, New York, the son of Paul and Virginia (née Vining) Adams.[7][8] He has described himself as "about half German"[9] and has English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish, and Dutch ancestry.[10][11] In 2016, Adams said he had a small amount ofNative American ancestry,[12] but later discovered via23andme genetic testing that he does not have any detectable Native American genetic markers.[13] He was a fan ofPeanuts comics while growing up and started drawing comics at age 6.[14] He won a drawing competition at age 11.[14]
Adams worked closely with telecommunications engineers atCrocker National Bank in San Francisco between 1979 and 1986. Upon joining the organization, he first worked as ateller. After four months in which he was twice held up at gunpoint, he entered a management training program. His positions included management trainee, computer programmer, budget analyst, commercial lender, product manager, and supervisor.[14]
He later shifted to work atPacific Bell. To devote time to building a new career, he woke up every day at 4 a.m. and spent time on various endeavors; cartooning proved to be the most successful of them. Adams createdDilbert during this period of personal exploration.[18] TheDilbert name was suggested by his former boss, Mike Goodwin. Dogbert, originally named Dildog, was loosely based on his family's deceased petbeagle Lucy. His submissions ofDilbert and other comic panels to various publications, includingThe New Yorker andPlayboy, were not published, but an inspirational letter from a fan persuaded Adams to keep trying.[14] He worked at Pacific Bell between 1986 and June 30, 1995, and the personalities he encountered there inspired many of hisDilbert characters.[19] In 1989, while still employed at Pacific Bell, Adams launchedDilbert withUnited Media. To maintain his income, he continued to draw his cartoons during the early morning hours. His first payment forDilbert was a monthly royalty check of $368.62.Dilbert gradually became more popular. It was syndicated in 100 newspapers in 1991 and 400 by 1994. Adams attributed his success to his idea of including his email address in the panels, which resulted in feedback and suggestions from readers.[14]
Adams' success grew, and he became a full-time cartoonist asDilbert reached 800 newspapers. In 1996, his first business book,The Dilbert Principle, was released. It expounded on his concept of theDilbert principle.[14]
In 1997, Adams won theNational Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist and Best Newspaper Comic Strip.[14]Logitech CEOPierluigi Zappacosta invited Adams to impersonate a management consultant, which he did wearing a wig and false mustache. He tricked Logitech managers into adopting amission statement that Adams described as "so impossibly complicated that it has no real content whatsoever".[20][21] His writing inSan Jose Mercury News West Magazine regarding the incident earned him anOrwell Award.[22] By 2000, the comic was in 2,000 newspapers in 57 countries and 19 languages.[14]
His comic strips were adapted as aDilbert TV series, which debuted in January 1999 and ran for two seasons onUPN. Adams served as executive producer and showrunner, along withSeinfeld writerLarry Charles. The show earned aPrimetime Emmy Award in 1999. Adams later said that the show had been canceled because he waswhite and UPN had decided to shift towardAfrican-American viewers.[23][24]
In addition to his cartoon work, Adams has written books in various other areas, including self-improvement and religion.[23] His bookGod's Debris (2001) lays out a theory ofpandeism, in which God blows itself up to see what will happen, which becomes the cause of our universe.[25] InThe Religion War (2004), Adams suggests that followers of theistic religions such asChristianity andIslam are subconsciously aware that their beliefs are false, and that this awareness is reflected in their consistently acting as if these religions, and their threats of damnation for sinners, are untrue. In a 2017 interview, Adams said that his books on religion, notDilbert, would be his ultimate legacy.[23]
On a February 22, 2023 livestream of hisReal Coffee with Scott Adams program, Adams reacted to a poll that asked if respondents agreed that "it's okay to be white",[26][27] a phrase described by theAnti-Defamation League as associated with the white supremacist movement.[5][28] The poll showed 26% of black respondents disagreed with the statement and 21% were not sure.[29] Adams, upset that nearly half did not agree, described black people as a "hate group" and said "the best advice I would give to white people is to get the hell away from black people; just get the fuck away."[4][30][31]
In response to these and other related comments,Dilbert was dropped by numerous newspapers across the country, including theLos Angeles Times,The Washington Post, andUSA Today-affiliated newspapers.[29][32][28]Andrews McMeel Syndication, the distributor ofDilbert, announced on February 27, 2023, that it was severing all ties with Adams.[33][29]Portfolio, his book publisher, announced it was dropping his non-Dilbert book that was scheduled for release that September.[34][35] Adams defended his remarks ashyperbole and as taken out of context in reportage; he disavowed racism and asserted that nobody would disagree with what he said were his main points: don't discriminate and avoid things that look like they will put you at risk.[5][36] On March 13, Adams relaunchedDilbert asDilbert Reborn on the subscription websiteLocals, minus the earlier Dilbert comics.[37][38]
On November 15 2025, he reported that he would no longer draw his strip because his right hand has focal dystonia and his left hand is semi-paralyzed, but would still be the writer of Dilbert. Instead his art director would take over as the artist.[39]
In 2015, Adams wrote blog posts predicting thatDonald Trump had a 98 percent chance of winning the presidency based on his persuasion skills, and he started writing about Trump's persuasion techniques. His pieces on this topic grew popular, so he started writing about it regularly.[40] Adams soon developed this as a daily video presentation calledReal Coffee with Scott Adams, distributed toPeriscope,YouTube, and ScottAdamsSays.com.[41]
Adams offers paid subscriptions for exclusive content onLocals.[61] In 2020, Adams said: "For context, I expect my Dilbert income to largely disappear in the next year as newspapers close up forever. Thecoronavirus sped up that inevitable trend. Like many of you, I'm reinventing my life for a post-coronavirus world. The Locals platform is a big part of that."[62]
Adams started Scott Adams Foods, Inc. in 1999, which made the Dilberito and Protein Chef. First announced inThe Dilbert Future and introduced in 1999,[63] the Dilberito was avegetarian microwaveburrito that came in flavors ofMexican,Indian,Barbecue, and Garlic & Herb. It was sold through some health food stores. Adams' inspiration for the product was that "diet is the number one cause of health-related problems in the world. I figured I could put a dent in that problem and make some money at the same time." He aimed to create a healthy food product that also had mass appeal, a concept he called "theblue jeans of food".[64] AFlash game titledDilberito was developed and published byBlam! Video Game Development in 2000 for Scott Adams Foods.[65] The product failed to catch on in the market, leading Adams "several years and several million dollars later" to sell off his intellectual property and exit the business. Adams himself noted, "[t]he mineral fortification was hard to disguise, and because of the veggie and legume content, three bites of the Dilberito made you fart so hard your intestines formed a tail."[66]The New York Times noted the burrito "could have been designed only by a food technologist or by someone who eats lunch without much thought to taste."[67] Adams sold off his intellectual property inScott Adams Foods when the Dilberito failed in the marketplace in 2003. He was a restaurateur starting in 1997, but exited that business before 2017.[68][23]
Adams co-founded the service WhenHub, which has been described by Gizmodo as "similar toCameo ... except instead of pre-recorded messages from movie stars and rappers, it offers live chats with a range of subject-matter experts".[69][70] In 2019, Adams briefly received negative media attention when during theGilroy Garlic Festival shooting he posted a tweet suggesting that witnesses download the WhenHub app and "set your price to take calls". He later apologized, saying the message was "poorly worded".[71][72] As of 2024,[update] the WhenHub website is inactive.[73]
He had a cameo in "Review", a third-season episode of the TV seriesNewsRadio, in which Matthew Brock (played byAndy Dick) becomes an obsessedDilbert fan. Adams is credited as "Guy in line behind Dave and Joe in first scene".[74]
Adams has often commented on political and social matters, although he said in 2016, "I don't vote and I am not a member of a political party."[88] As of 2008, Adams identified his views on social issues as "[leaning]libertarian, minus the crazy stuff."[89] After endorsingMitt Romney for the2012 presidential election,[90] Adams endorsedDonald Trump in thefollowing election. During that election, he wrote extensively on Trump, praising his persuasion skills[91][92] and later described his support for Trump as a factor in ending his public speaking career, as well as negatively impacting his income and friendships.[93][94] He also spoke against Trump's opponentHillary Clinton, expressing concerns that Clinton's candidacy would lower the status of men in America.[95][96] In 2017, Adams described his views as supporting left-wing policies he perceived as realistic.[97]
Adams has made various predictions about politics. Early in the 2016 election, Adams predicted Trump would win based on his analysis of how persuasive the candidates were. As Trump gained momentum, Adams' election analysis gained media and popular attention.[23] Later (incorrect) predictions repeatedly featured inPolitico magazine's annual lists of "Worst Predictions", including that one of Trump,Bernie Sanders andJoe Biden would die fromCOVID-19 by the end of 2020,[98] that "Republicans will be hunted" if Joe Biden won the2020 presidential election[99] and that the2024 presidential election would result in a "landslide" of claims the election was rigged and the results ultimately overturned in Trump's favor by the Supreme Court.[100]
Aftera 2022 mass shooting, Adams opined that society leaves parents of troubled teenage boys with only two options: to either watch people die or murder their own son. He said his comments were inspired by his own stepson, who became addicted to drugs at the age of 14 and later died of afentanyl overdose.[101][102] Adams has stressed his opposition to being considered pro-masking and pro-COVID-19 vaccines,[103] and he believes that people unvaccinated against COVID-19 "came out the best" compared to vaccinated people.[104]
In a 2006 blog post, Adams asked if official figures of the number of deaths in theHolocaust were based on methodologically sound research.[105][36] In 2023, Adams suggested the 2017Unite the Right rally was "an American intel op against Trump."[106] In 2020, Adams said that theDilbert TV show was cancelled because he was white and UPN had decided to focus on an African-American audience, and that he had been discriminated against.[107] In a series of comic strips in September 2022,Dilbert parodiedenvironmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) strategies. Part of the plotline involved a black character who "identif[ied] as white" and the company management asking him if he could also identify as gay.[108]
In the early 1990s, the little finger of Adams' right hand would spasm when he tried to draw, and he was diagnosed withfocal dystonia. By doing a conditioning exercise, he was able to cure himself. Yet, in late 2004, his focal dystonia returned, which affected his ability to draw for lengthy periods.[109][110] Since 2014, he has been drawing on agraphics tablet,[111] and has since switched from using his right hand to his left.[112] He also hadspasmodic dysphonia, a condition that causes thevocal cords to behave abnormally. In July 2008 he underwent surgery to reroute the nerve connections to his vocal cords[113] and his voice reached new levels of functionality.[114]
Adams married Shelly Miles aboard ayacht, theGalaxy Commodore, on July 22, 2006, inSan Francisco Bay, in a ceremony conducted by the ship's captain.[115] The two had met at a gym inPleasanton, California, where Miles was an employee and Adams was a customer. Adams was stepfather to Miles' two children, Savannah and Justin, the latter of whom died of afentanyl overdose in 2018 at age 18.[116][117][118] Adams and Miles divorced in 2014, and Adams said the two remained friends, with Miles moving only one block away after their separation.[119]
On Christmas Day in 2019, Adams announced on his podcast that he was engaged to Kristina Basham,[120] and later revealed that they had married on July 11, 2020. Basham, a model and baker, has two daughters and is a vice president at WhenHub.[23] On March 10, 2022, Adams announced on his YouTube podcast that he and Basham were getting divorced.[121]
Adams claims he is trained as ahypnotist.[122] He creditsaffirmations for many of his achievements, including scoring in the ninety-fourth percentile on a difficult qualification exam for business school and creatingDilbert's success. He states that the affirmations give him focus.[8] He has described a method he has used that he says gave him success: he pictured in his mind what he wanted and wrote it down 15 times a day on a piece of paper.[123] This technique is used by Dogbert in a 1989Dilbert strip.[124]
Adams continues to live in Pleasanton, California, and is active in the San Francisco Bay Area.[125][126]
On May 19, 2025, Adams revealed on his daily podcastReal Coffee with Scott Adams that he hasprostate cancer that hasspread to hisbones, and that he only has a short time left to live. He has stated that the cancer has spread to his spine, which has caused him to use awalker due to the immense pain. He noted that his taking the anti-parasitic medicationsivermectin andfenbendazole to treat the cancer did not work.[127][128] In June 2025, he revealed he had prepared forphysician assisted suicide through theCalifornia End of Life Option Act, and had planned to go through with it on June 29 or June 30, after his stepdaughter's wedding, as the pain was too much to handle. He then discovered that by taking commontestosterone blocker pills, his pain unexpectedly went away, and hisPSA levels dropped 90%, which would give him weeks, months, or even some years extra.[129][130]
In November the same year, he announced his health was suddenly declining rapidly again, and took to social media to ask President Trump for help to get access to the cancer drugPluvicto.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replied saying "How do I reach you? The President wants to help."[131]
Always Postpone Meetings with Time-Wasting Morons (1992)
Shave the Whales (1994)
Bring Me the Head of Willy the Mailboy! (1995)
It's Obvious You Won't Survive by Your Wits Alone (1995)
Still Pumped from Using the Mouse (1996)
Fugitive from the Cubicle Police (1996)
Casual Day Has Gone Too Far (1997)
I'm Not Anti-Business, I'm Anti-Idiot (1998)
Journey to Cubeville (1998)
Don't Step in the Leadership (1999)
Random Acts of Management (2000)
Excuse Me While I Wag (2001)
When Did Ignorance Become a Point of View? (2001)
Another Day in Cubicle Paradise (2002)
All Dressed Down and Nowhere to Go (2002) (Still Pumped from Using the Mouse,Casual Day Has Gone Too Far, andI'm Not Anti-Business, I'm Anti-Idiot combined)
When Body Language Goes Bad (2003)
Words You Don't Want to Hear During Your Annual Performance Review (2003)
Don't Stand Where the Comet Is Assumed to Strike Oil (2004)
The Fluorescent Light Glistens Off Your Head (2005)
Thriving on Vague Objectives (2005)
Try Rebooting Yourself (2006)
Positive Attitude (2007)
This Is the Part Where You Pretend to Add Value (2008)
Dilbert 2.0: 20 Years of Dilbert (2008)
Freedom's Just Another Word for People Finding Out You're Useless (2009)
14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-Covered Box (2009)
I'm Tempted to Stop Acting Randomly (2010)
How's That Underling Thing Working Out for You? (2011)
Teamwork Means You Can't Pick the Side that's Right (2012)
Your New Job Title Is "Accomplice" (2013)
I Sense a Coldness to Your Mentoring (2013)
Go Add Value Someplace Else (2014)
Optimism Sounds Exhausting (2015)
I'm No Scientist, But I Think Feng Shui Is Part of the Answer (2016)
^"Early Coffee with Scott Adams". October 15, 2016.Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. RetrievedMay 31, 2022.If — keep in mind that — if Clinton gets elected, there'll never be another male president. Let me say that again. If Hillary Clinton gets elected, there will never be another male president. Let me say that a third time. If Hillary Clinton gets elected. There will never be another male president.
