Ailing “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams appears to be thinking about his legacy as his cancer prognosis worsens.
“I have a favor to ask,” the 68-year-old cartoonist posted on social media Friday, asking fans to leave comments or contact his biographer with examples of what his work meant to them.
“It gives me great joy to learn about any contribution I made,” Adams wrote. “I tried to be useful.”
The conservative satirist announced in May that he was being treated for prostate cancer, which had metastasized to his bones. He said at the time that he didn’t have “much longer” and expected to die in the summer.
He’s since given fans numerous health updates indicating that he’s still in the fight, but the battle isn’t going well.
In a livestream on Thursday, he said “it’s all bad news” after having another meeting with his radiologist, adding that his odds of recovery are “essentially zero.”
“I’ll give you any updates if that changes, but it won’t,” he grimly said.
Once one of the most popular writers and illustrators in the country, Adams saw his popularity wane in February 2023 after he called Black Americans a “hate group” that white people should try to avoid.
“This can’t be fixed,” he said in a YouTube video of racial tensions in the U.S. “I don’t think it makes any sense as a white citizen of America to try to help Black citizens anymore. It doesn’t make sense. There’s no longer a rational impulse. So I’m going to back off on being helpful to Black America because it doesn’t seem like it pays off.”
Hundreds of publications, including the Daily News, subsequently dropped “Dilbert” from their pages in response to those remarks.
Adams later claimed he was trying to be provocative to inspire further conversation about the topic, but didn’t apologize for his comments.
When asked why “Dilbert” got the axe, Adams replied on Dilbert.com “If you believe the news, it was because I am a big ol’ racist.”
At least one supporter responded to Adams’ post on Friday by thanking the artist and influencer for inspiring him to lose weight, give up alcohol, triple his income and find meaning in life.
“Good for you! Well done,” Adams replied on X.
Fox News personality Greg Gutfeld asked that his name be added to the list of people Adams influenced.
“There’s no one like you out there, but you’ve helped mentor many who now try,” he posted.
