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Stars in the entertainment industry invariably share a particular attribute: they have great manipulative instincts,
or what might be called "social intelligence." They have a knack for
getting and holding the attention of large numbers of people and being
viewed favorably by those people.
One of the tricks in the manipulator's bag is cultivating an air of mystery. Another is making oneself inaccessible at times, which is like playing "hard to get." That which seems unattainable or difficult to get feels more desirable to people.
Dylan employed both ploys by rendering himself incommunicado for two weeks after the Nobel Committee announced that they were awarding him the Prize for Literature. (It's so grand it has to be capitalized!) They let it be known that they were unable to contact Dylan to inform him, and finally said they were giving him the prize anyway. (It is unprecedented for a songwriter to receive the prize, another coup for Dylan that marks him as special. Dylan's Specialness has been a constant throughout his career.)
Only then did Dylan deign to make his presence known, like a being descending from heaven. He said he was honored. But he kept up his coyness, saying he didn't know if he "could" attend the awards ceremony.
Really Robert? You don't know if it's possible for you to fly over to Oslo? Are you scheduled for urgent surgery or something? Maybe you haven't decided whether to go or not. (Or maybe you have.)
He has written great songs. (And performed great songs written by others.) And an awful singing voice. And rudimentary guitar-playing skills. (But I like his music.) So he's got at least two notable talents.
Two was enough.
One of the tricks in the manipulator's bag is cultivating an air of mystery. Another is making oneself inaccessible at times, which is like playing "hard to get." That which seems unattainable or difficult to get feels more desirable to people.
Dylan employed both ploys by rendering himself incommunicado for two weeks after the Nobel Committee announced that they were awarding him the Prize for Literature. (It's so grand it has to be capitalized!) They let it be known that they were unable to contact Dylan to inform him, and finally said they were giving him the prize anyway. (It is unprecedented for a songwriter to receive the prize, another coup for Dylan that marks him as special. Dylan's Specialness has been a constant throughout his career.)
Only then did Dylan deign to make his presence known, like a being descending from heaven. He said he was honored. But he kept up his coyness, saying he didn't know if he "could" attend the awards ceremony.
Really Robert? You don't know if it's possible for you to fly over to Oslo? Are you scheduled for urgent surgery or something? Maybe you haven't decided whether to go or not. (Or maybe you have.)
He has written great songs. (And performed great songs written by others.) And an awful singing voice. And rudimentary guitar-playing skills. (But I like his music.) So he's got at least two notable talents.
Two was enough.
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