Doug Sleeter

@VDHanson You’re a national treasure Victor. You bring so much to my life and I wish you a speedy and full recovery.

Notes In Absentia I want again to thank everyone for the wonderful expressions of concern and reassurance that I have received from listeners and readers. In response to inquiries, and some quite detailed questions and advice, here is a brief update concerning my current temporary absence. As I wrote, the removal of a cancerous lung mucinous adenoma carcinoma along with the lower right lung lobe roughly a month ago was successful. But a post-op aneurism /bleed soon developed. That required a quick second reentry operation into the lung to stop the hemorrhaging—adding considerable time under anesthesia and requiring about 5 blood transfusions. As a result, over the last 30 days, I developed low red blood counts, fatigue, and bouts of arterial fibrillation. All that has sort of slowed my recovery. This type of nonsmoker’s lung cancer has a rare genetic/mutation profile. And it seems to recur about 40 percent of the time in the general lung area—even when as in my case the removed and biopsied lymph nodes, along with adjacent vascular/pleural samples, were all negative. And the pre-op PET scan show no signs of malignancy outside the lower right lung lobe. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are said to be not particularly effective against this rare sort of tumor mutation. But they can offer a 5-10% edge in stopping recurrence. So I’ll do a cost-benefit analysis, depending on how quickly I regain energy, to determine whether to start the preventative drug regimens. The bottom line is that I’m hoping to come back as soon as possible. But I don’t know exactly when I'll be back to near normal. In the meantime, I hope to post things now and then on days when I feel better. Sincerely—and again thanks to everyone! Victor Davis Hanson

@jackfowler @MZHemingway @VDHanson @DailySignal @HooverInst Thanks for the update. You are in our hearts and prayers Victor. You are truly a national treasure and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Our pal @VDHanson just emailed me and asked if I would post this in response to the many inquiries about his health and status. If you're looking for the "official word," this is it. @DailySignal @HooverInst An Update From Victor Davis Hanson I want to thank all the wonderful people who have sent me wishes of rapid recovery and prayers in so many manifestations. I cannot thank you enough given it gave me hope and encouragement these past two weeks as I read and reread you notes, cards, and postings. I was operated on 12/30 to remove a large "mucinous adenoma carcinoma" and also right lower lobe by the thoracic surgery team at Stanford Medical. I had previously and mysteriously been unable to recover fully from a March 2025 flu and a series of sinus infections that led to a sinus operation, and later hoarseness and cough. A series of various scans suggested subclinical pneumonia, prior damage from long covid, or perhaps even valley fever. However, the consolidation continued to grow, and I continued to feel weaker and hoarser—from what turned out to be a very hard to diagnose and rare lung cancer that is often dubbed “pseudo-pneumonia” for its near identical appearance to infection/inflammation on scans. Many think these types of cancer are genetically driven and I have had certainly many family members with cancers. An accurate diagnosis is often made more difficult given non-smokers (and nondrinkers/non drug users) more often suffer this type of strange malignancy. Luckily, and belatedly I got to Stanford Med where after another scan and surgical biopsy they quickly diagnosed the near year long problem as a large malignancy. In this regard. I want to thank our director at the Hoover Institution and my friend and colleague Dr. Condoleezza Rice whose support and advice on medical care proved invaluable. The 12/30 cancer removal surgery a little more than two weeks ago went well. But as happens (I’m 72) sometimes, an arterial bleed of unknown origins developed in the recovery room. I was very lucky that the team got me back into surgery, found the hemorrhaging, provided numerous transfusions, and got me back to recovery. I am recovering well from the lung cancer surgery, but now mostly dealing with the after effects of the long time under anesthesia for the two procedures, blood loss, anemia, and some AFIB, which are all mostly manifested in fatigue and weakness. But I hope to rebuild and recover and return to work in time, especially given the frantic news cycle of the last month. There is much to be optimistic about, despite the nasty nature of this rare nonsmoker’s cancer and a few detours during recovery. Lymph nodes and peripheral samples removed during surgery around the tumor and mass proved negative for malignancy. And a pre-op full body scan did not show metastasis. So I’m hoping to rebuild my strength and prepare for perhaps some sort of chemo/immunotherapy prophylactic treatment to help prevent recurrence in the pulmonary area. I can’t thank all of you enough for your kindness. It stunned me and I will do my best to recover and see you all again on podcasts and other venues. Sincerely Victor Davis Hanson

@ScottAdamsSays RIP Scott. You truly changed lives, mine included. Thanks for living such a great life and helping all of us see a bit more clearly.

A Final Message From Scott Adams

@ScottAdamsSays I sure hope you recover soon. Kaiser is great when you’re healthy, but terrible when you have complex issues. Nobody to be the captain of your ship. Be the squeaky wheel!

My medical update: I’m still in Kaiser hospital. Day 2. Haven’t pooped in 4-5 days and lost all ability to control my lower body since yesterday. I don’t know if this is permanent or if it is growing. Legs have feeling and reflex but I have no control over them except the slightest toe wiggle. This is mostly from worsened since yesterday, but the leg numbing condition started over a month ago. I don’t know if the cancer or the constipation has caused the paralysis and I don’t have a doctor in charge as far as I can determine. Kaiser has a rotating group of doctors on call and they only do drive-by doctoring depending what day it is and who is on vacation. I did MRI and CT scans and blood tests but have heard no diagnosis. Nor do I know when I will hear results or from whom. I only know I need one more MRI because the lower back one revealed no obvious cause. I am now in a palliative care program, which gives me a single contact nurse to help coordinate this confusion. That looks promising. Will see if that can help today. I think my general practitioner, oncologist, urologist, dermatologist and a few other doctors are involved. But they are only reachable by email every day or two. I’m hoping palliative care can shortcut that. My pain is well controlled. But I am not allowed to use the bathroom alone, because I might fall, but I am not psychologically capable of doing it while monitored. Strongest laxatives no effect. Enema planned. Lots of details left out but those are the big points. Expecting the next MRI this morning but no one who is awake can confirm. Scott

@ScottAdamsSays You changed my life years ago. I was climbing corporate ladders but after reading Dilbert, I realized what really happens in management so I dropped out and started a successful business which I sold in 2015 and retired comfortably. I’m in Pleasanton and love Coffee with Scott.

Coffee With Scott Adams 11/3/25 x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

@ScottAdamsSays As a fellow Pleasanton resident and devotee of Coffee with Scott, I’m so happy to hear you’re getting what you need. Praying it works and that we’ll have you around for a long time. Thanks for everything you’ve done for our world Scott. You have improved many lives.

Update: Getting Pluvicto (the cancer drug) tomorrow, via Kaiser Northern California. The Trump administration works fast. Amazing. For context, I waited months for the drug, like everyone else. But I think my files got misplaced or something and that glitch just got corrected. Not sure.

@ScottAdamsSays So happy this is happening for you. Finally. Kaiser is a victim of its own success. Bloated bureaucracy with pointy haired bosses at the top and several levels down.

@WakeUpPatriott A

Elon Musk is considering backing JD VANCE in 2028 rather than starting a new party As of today, how would you rate your level of support for JD Vance? A. Very Strong Support (100%) B. Strong Support (75%) C. Moderate Support (50%) D. Limited Support (25%) E. No Support (0%)

@bftcpa @Zoho So sorry to miss this one. Next year!

So glad to be in Salt Lake City today for the inaugural #zohobalance event. Glad to see one friends and enjoying the conversation. A special thanks to Val, Marilyn, Sasha, IC, and Prashant and the whole @zoho team for an excellent event.

@sandraklo @Zoho Sorry I missed you guys this time.

#SMZ25 was an idea, a concept, a desire to do something different for a unique influencer audience that deserves something customized for them! The event showed that we need to make it an annual gathering! Thanks everyone for your support! @Zoho

@svembu Completely agree. And EMBRACE the input, no matter how disturbing. No need to agree, but embrace it and look for truth. Keep in mind it may be rubbish, but perhaps there are at least some truths in whatever you detractors are communicating.

A critical question every manager should ask themselves is "Can bad news reach me? Would people be comfortable telling me what I don't like to hear?" Being too sensitive is not a virtue in leaders. It would just mean bad news never reaches you. So one piece of advice I have always given our managers is "You have to grow a thick skin in order to lead any effort".

@elonmusk Lock em up!

This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.

@KevinKileyCA Please run for governor! California needs you

There it is. Republicans have now gained 1 million registered voters in California since Newsom became Governor. The latest update shows Republicans gained 125,000 voters on Democrats the last few months, marking the sixth straight time the CA GOP has increased its share.

@SecRubio Marco, you are doing a fantastic job so far. Thanks for your plain spoken, honest and well thought out announcements and responses to the media. Keep it up!

@SecState Marco you are doing a fantastic job so far. Very impressive how you speak plainly and honestly. Keep it up.

@ZavalaA @CCACalifornia Thanks for working to increase transparency in the California government. The democrat supermajority is killing this state, and we need to help the voters learn more about exactly what’s going on and who is supposedly representing us. It starts with transparency.

Before the pandemic, journalists had access to these desks behind lawmakers. @CCACalifornia actually has had jurisdiction over them. These desks allow journalists to interact with Senators in a way that we cannot any other time outside of floor session…

The California State Senate has severely limited press access in the chamber to journalists and despite repeated calls from @CCACalifornia to change this, leaders will not listen. Here’s what’s going on 🧵

Why is it that so many small-town, humble people who achieve global success (there aren’t many), tend to forget their roots. How many are willing to call out the problems and suggest solutions that prevent most people from achieving success? @svembu is worth listening to.

@svembu @sahil_vi He is correct Sridhar. You are one in a Billion. Please keep articulating the problems and solutions as you see them. Your global yet local perspectives are what everyone else who achieves what you have seem to forget along the way. Stay on course and keep evangelizing.

@sahil_vi You are too kind .. all credit to our motherland and our deep roots that nurture us 🙏

I have used the analogy "Flash floods can destroy existing ponds, leaving less water after the flood recedes". This is the structural damage caused by flash floods. Financial bubbles (floods) are similar and they can have far ranging effects. When money pours into an industry too rapidly, it sucks resources, and can leave us with fewer capabilities than before, in other critical sectors that get neglected during the flood of money. There is a reason Intel needs help from TSMC now - for at least a generation now, the smartest talent in silicon valley did not go into fabs. No investor would touch that sector because no big exits. This is why financial bubbles are so damaging. And the longer a bubble lasts, the more structural (and cultural) damage it inflicts to more sectors. In the Indian context, the IT industry sucked all the oxygen for a long time, leading to impairment and neglect of capabilities in numerous other critical industries. We have to make up for lost time.

@svembu Also, too often, raising children is done by tech devices that are infused with more cultural rot, so we’re getting exactly the opposite of what we sought with all the technology innovation.

I visited the SF bay area this week, staying near the Apple HQ, an area of beautiful multi-million dollar homes, well maintained parks - but hardly any young children roaming the wide open residential streets (hardly any traffic) or playing in the parks. It felt empty, particularly going from my Tenkasi village. I am blessed to live in an area where people have children. After a long time living in areas where children were nearly absent, this is hugely uplifting of the spirit. The per capita income in Cupertino, California exceeds $100,000. In rural Tenkasi, it is likely below $2000. I was happy to come back to see our school children's faces. Death is an occasion an extended family here comes together to mourn for several days, never leaving the bereaved alone. That social bonding is why children are valued. We value life when we honor our dead. I hope our families here stay deeply connected with each other the way they do now, taking part in each other's joys and sorrows. I hope the exuberantly celebrated Goddesses and Gods bless our people. I quite enjoy taking part in that life. All religions have a passionate following in our area. Religious devotion by itself is a strong indicator for having children. In that sense, faith in God is saving our species. 🙏

@svembu Great observations Sridhar. The cultural rot in our society has contributed heavily to what you observe. Children are no longer allowed to “go out and play” because people are fearful of each other. Also, the huge decline in 2-parent households means mothers are more absent.