The Dilbert Future
Encyclopedia
The Dilbert Future is a book published by Scott Adams
Scott Adams
Scott Raymond Adams is the American creator of the Dilbert comic strip and the author of several nonfiction works of satire, commentary, business, and general speculation....

 as a satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...

 of humanity
Human nature
Human nature refers to the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally....

 that breaks the net motivations of humanity down into stupidity, selfishness, and "horniness"
Lust
Lust is an emotional force that is directly associated with the thinking or fantasizing about one's desire, usually in a sexual way.-Etymology:The word lust is phonetically similar to the ancient Roman lustrum, which literally meant "purification"...

, and presents various ideas for profiting
Profit (economics)
In economics, the term profit has two related but distinct meanings. Normal profit represents the total opportunity costs of a venture to an entrepreneur or investor, whilst economic profit In economics, the term profit has two related but distinct meanings. Normal profit represents the total...

 from human nature. The final chapter invites the reader to ponder upon several open ended questions, such as the nature of gravity and the utility of affirmations
Affirmative prayer
Affirmative prayer is a form of prayer or a metaphysical technique that is focused on a positive outcome rather than a negative situation. For example, a person who is experiencing some form of illness would focus the prayer on the desired state of perfect health and affirm this desired intention...

, which are further addressed in God’s Debris.

Adams makes several "predictions" throughout the book intended for humorous effect.
  • "There will be two types of people: Superstars and perspiration wipers. Those who are neither will be managers"
  • "In the Future, the value of your job will decrease, thanks to the godforsaken hellhole of North Dakota
    North Dakota
    North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....

    ".
  • The book anticipates a fictional food item (which Adam references as the Dilberito
    Dilberito
    The Dilberito is a vegan microwave burrito produced by Scott Adams Foods, Inc. and named after the comic strip character Dilbert.First announced in The Dilbert Future, the Dilberito came in flavors of Mexican, Indian, Barbecue, and Garlic & Herb and was sold through some health food...

    ) which is explained as a food source containing 100% of a human's daily nutritional requirements (the point being that otherwise an individual needs a supercomputer and a team of scientists to determine dietary needs.)


Scott Adams did publish in issue 15 of his Dilbert Newsletter (sent to all members of Dogbert's New Ruling Class
Dogbert's New Ruling Class
Dogbert's New Ruling Class, or DNRC, is the official Dilbert fan club. It is a group of people who, according to Dilbert author Scott Adams, will form the new ruling elite once Dogbert conquers the Earth...

) an excerpt from this book with permission for it to be re-published (if kept with the copyright text).

Adams introduced the word confusopoly in this book. The word is a portmanteau of confusion
ConFusion
ConFusion is an annual science fiction convention organized by the Stilyagi Air Corps and its parent organization, the Ann Arbor Science Fiction Association. Commonly, it is held the third weekend of January. It is the oldest science fiction convention in Michigan, a regional, general SF con...

 and monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...

 (or rather oligopoly
Oligopoly
An oligopoly is a market form in which a market or industry is dominated by a small number of sellers . The word is derived, by analogy with "monopoly", from the Greek ὀλίγοι "few" + πόλειν "to sell". Because there are few sellers, each oligopolist is likely to be aware of the actions of the others...

), defining it as "a group of companies with similar products who intentionally confuse customers instead of competing on price". Examples of industries in which confusopolies exist (according to Adams) include telephone service, insurance, mortgage loans, banking, and financial services. Adams also explains his belief that positive affirmations can influence external events, claiming that this has worked for him in the past.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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