Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert and general troll, died yesterday at the age of 68.
Dilbert was helpful in building my cynical resistance to the inanity of cube-farm life when I was in technical support in the 90’s. His book The Dilbert Principle also had some very good ideas on how businesses should be run in a way that respects their employees. Needless to say, his advice is rarely taken. I know Adams cosplayed as a business consultant and spat out pure nonsense to sales people and executives and was taken far too seriously. I considered him a helpful troll in the hellscape of American information work. It was from this book I think I picked up the idea that your employer considers your chair more important than you.
Then I gave up on him. In 2012 he publicly endorsed Mitt Romney and I didn’t see any valid reason in his arguments. I seem to remember them as being completely unreasonable. Dilbert lost its fanbase and then he got diagnosed with prostrate cancer.
At least he didn’t (as far as I can tell) attempt to grift millions for his hospital bills.
It’s funny to think that the man he was early in his career will be missed more than the man he became, or possibly revealed himself to be. I suppose I could have been mourning for him for at least 14 years now, but I generally stopped mourning the loss of people I never knew.
I don’t know if we’ll understand why he threw so much away, or if he was always like that.
So I can’t say rest in peace, nor can I say good riddance. It’s a shame our medical system is more concerned with getting rich rather than helping someone fight cancer.
Goodbye, Scott. You were helpful for a while, then you became a stumbling block. I’m glad I learned to walk away from people like you.