Expecting Rain

Sociopathy (or psycopathy, as the two are interchangeable) is far more damning an assessment than Aspergers - if you want a very entertaining and chilling read on the subject, I highly recommend Jon Ronson's 'The Psychopath Test' - so dont be surprised if you get attacked for saying this. I'm almost tempted to agree with you - he does have that ruthless self-focused, studious manipulative thing going on - look at the way he squints at people in interviews, for example. But I'm wary of going as far as to say he is emotionally barren, lacks empathy or compassion - at least any more than your avergae multi-millionaire star who lives a totally distorted, eccentric lifestyle.

How about Aspiopath?

A very considered and intelligent post, Sir, if I may say so, Lord Benny of Boysville!!

You may.

Yeah, the way he just seems to befriend and discard people as and when it suits him is really what prompted me to say that. That said—and I don't think I conveyed this too well in my original post—what I meant was, if I had to diagnose him, I'd go with sociopathy over Asperger's. If not, I'd just say that he's an eccentric, but otherwise psychologically healthy chap.

And if we attempted to compare him to ourselves we might end up in the ditch pretty quickly.

Very interesting insight Benny, and very well written, as always.

But I don't agree. The squint thing is interesting.

As far as empathy and compassion are concerned, I think he is a human sponge in that area. It's what has made him what he is. He feels and sees so much, it has pretty much bent him right out of shape, and accounts for the kind of premature aged look he has. Someone once said that anyone really tuned into the way things really are would really have to be bent out of shape in many ways. He claims that things have changed and he has learned to turn it off, but who knows?

The ruthless drive gives him the energy to use what he has seen and felt, and get rich. He's earned every cent.

It's absurd.

sure have big labels for our bob. gee.

i see him as being always moving..as in nervous energy. If hes always moving ..hes always doing.. and hey the guy prolly weighs in at 120lbs so hes not got a lot of meat on his bones. (im not goin there) so if he bundles up in layers its not only warming but it keeps his bones from seizing up. As a person with a lot of arthritis and osteo issues in the spine and neck its common for people like myself to wear as many layers as possible. (and still look cool). I also have to keep moving so i dont lock up.
As far as his personality.. thats the thing. People that talk about him.. say nice things. If they have nothing nice to say..they should just shut up. its like the lil sign i shared on fb the other day. Dont mistake my Personality for my Attitude. My Personality is Who i Am.. my Attitude depends on Who You Are. Im sure bob feels that way often enough.

The whole, "has trouble understanding other people's emotions" part, would explain his trouble with relationships. It's pretty well documented that he has been known to be pretty insensitive at times.

.. tHE WHOLE WORLD knows Bob.
- i wonder if there are 100 people
in said WORLD - who could make
an accurate and knowledgeable
statement regarding his character,
his opinions, feelings, motivations
for the treatment of .. anyone. ..
- it's not impossible there are not 10.

The key is to remain superior to the creatures you study

Or to limit your study to only those that you feel superior to.

- and the Key to Remaining Superior
..is to BE Superior or to Seem Superior
The one the Key to the Door of Exception;
- the other the Key to the Door of Perception
Doors to the Room of Exemption from Expectation;
and the Immunity from Definition by the communal study.
.. All Superiors suggest keys privileges to the Quiet Man. ...
...Leverage to the Remaining; Head in the Bigger Hat.

Aldous Huxley. nice!

More so than other people in similar situations?

some of these people they just give me the creeps

I scored high on the test for Asperger's. I think it is a cool mental disorder and I don't think disorder is the right word. When I think of the new Dylan, I don't think of who sounds like Dylan; I think of who has influenced music as much as Dylan. Johnny Rotten did and he is nowhere near as talented as Bob, but he definitely changed music. Love, Joanna XOXXO

As someone who is diagnosed with both Aspergers and Bi-polar it's quite plausible for someone like Dylan to have. If I didn't tell people I have it they would never know. I talk, walk, ect just fine even when I'm off my meds. Aspergers is a little more common in males and I wouldn't be shocked if 100 people from on here went to the Dr. and 20 of you found out you had it without even knowing. I didn't even know I had it tell I went for some mental tests lol. Lots of famous and non famous people suffer from various mental problems and it's obviously not holding Dylan back if he is one of them.

As someone who is diagnosed with both Aspergers and Bi-polar it's quite plausible for someone like Dylan to have. If I didn't tell people I have it they would never know. I talk, walk, ect just fine even when I'm off my meds. Aspergers is a little more common in males and I wouldn't be shocked if 100 people from on here went to the Dr. and 20 of you found out you had it without even knowing. I didn't even know I had it tell I went for some mental tests lol. Lots of famous and non famous people suffer from various mental problems and it's obviously not holding Dylan back if he is one of them.

Does feeling the need to take the time for this defense of Bob...show a unhealthy allegiance?

You also seem to have Multiple Posting Disorder.

Just read through this weird thread for the first time. Surprised no-one has mentioned his Gemini status and associative traits that include duality, contradiction, restlessness and non-commitment.

I just read the Wikipedia article Bennyboy provided us and Bob Dylan is not even mentioned in the part "notable people". Moreover, on the French article, just before the part "notable people" there's a note saying that "an astute reader will seek other sources to confirm this information". Just sayin'

I'm stopping here. I don't wanna read anymore.

I do think there is more than one Bob - not physically, but mentally and I totally agree with Benny. I have often wondered if Bob sees a psychiatrist and not because I think he needs one and I would think it would be fascinating to get Bob on the couch (as a psychiatrist). That was an excellent post Benny (as always)! I also would love to get him on a couch! Love, Joanna P.S. I don't think he is a psychopath at all or that he has BPD; he wouldn't be able to tour like he does with BPD (at least I don't think he would) and if he was a psychopath, I think we would have heard some really awful stories and I don't mean stories like he just suddenly dropped a friend.