Bob Dylan Is Being Criticized As 'Rude And Arrogant' For His Non-Reaction To His Nobel Prize Win

Leonard Cohen provided a nice positive critique of Bob Dylan’s Nobel prize win according to The Australian, joining the chorus that couldn’t help by praise a man who has spent most of his career being praised and honored at some point. He noted that the Nobel win was like “pinning a medal on Mount Everest for being the highest mountain.” There’s something in there about how every award is basically meaningless, but it does perfectly sum up the positive camp for Dylan walking away with the award and not really caring about it.

The negative camp seems to be in the Nobel camp itself, with some academy members sitting around upset that Dylan is ignoring them and their award. According to The Guardian, Dylan is putting them in an unprecedented spot by giving them a cold shoulder over their award while still performing:

“It’s impolite and arrogant,” said the academy member, Swedish writer Per Wastberg, in comments aired on SVT public television.

On the evening of 13 October, the day the literature prize winner was announced, Dylan played a concert in Las Vegas during which he made no comment at all to his fans.

He ended the concert with a version of the Frank Sinatra hit “Why Try To Change Me Now?”, taken to be a nod towards his longstanding aversion to the media.

It’s Dylan’s choice to ignore the award, that’s cool. But at the same time, this is a guy who just did a Super Bowl commercial and has accepted plenty of public awards in the past. Here he is accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom and doing the bare minimum while doing so. He didn’t say a word, but he was there and he showed some appreciation for the award.

its a dumb analogy really, since mountains have no choice in their height, but people have choice in how peaceful their actions are and how much they promote peace

other than that,it is another custom and people should be asked if they wish to be nominated for these types of things so they arent in a spot to decide to accept or not

if someone accepted a nomination but not the award,,that would be rude

but Im not sure thats the case

anyway, its just another custom/tradition, I dont care one way or the other if people participate in,,

but if they decide not to,, they should not give the impression they will by accepting a nomination,,,lol

Bob Dylan has been rude and arrogant most of his life, that's what makes him who he is. For years he wanted nothing to do with Robert Zimmer or Hibbing Minnesota, who he is and where he comes from. He thinks he's an "Artist" kind of like Con-yea West or the artist formerly know as Prince. They put themselves above others. Dylan has mellowed in the past decade, a lot to do with what he needs, not what others want. He's welcome to do as he pleases. He's more of a poet than a musician and for years that was what he was all about. He brought an electric guitar to a folk concert when he was young and was booed off the stag. He likes to push the limits. I say let him be, he's free to acknowledge what he wants.

A child of protest and the 60's..... they can get over themselves after giving it you know who for something he only promised to do and never did!

"Shelter From The Storm"

'Twas in another lifetime one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue, the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness a creature void of form
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

And if I pass this way again you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death and men who are fighting to be warm
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Not a word was spoke between us there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

I was burned out from exhaustion buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile ravaged in the corn
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Suddenly I turned around and she was standing there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Now there's a wall between us something there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Well the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker he blows a futile horn
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

I've heard newborn babies wailing like a mourning dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

In a little hilltop village they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence, I got repaid with scorn
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

Well I'm living in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqZDtYAE6bI

<David Gaines, professor of English at Southwestern University in Texas, whose academic research includes Dylan's literary value, told CNBC via telephone that the artist's "first and foremost priority is performing his songs."

Gaines added that Dylan's public "statements are rarely about himself," citing the examples of his comments on the deaths of George Harrison, Johnny Cash and Muhammad Ali.

When asked if Dylan would travel to Stockholm to formally receive his award in December, Gaines speculated that, "he'll be there," despite the musician's apparent dislike of public events. "He's going to do what he's going to do, when he's ready," Gaines said.<

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/24/arrogant-bob-dylan-angers-nobel-authorities-as-he-goes-to-ground-over-literature-prize.html

http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/josh-linkner/2016/10/23/josh-linkner-bob-dylan-nobel-literature/92510794/

Take a cue from Bob Dylan: Do great work rather than pursuing greatness

Josh Linkner, Detroit Free Press Business columnist

Shy of becoming leader of the free world, winning a Nobel Prize is one of the biggest achievements imaginable. The prestige, economic rewards, and permanent place in history are the stuff dreams are made of. Millions of scientists, artists, and humanitarians devote their life’s work to chasing this highly coveted award.

But not Bob Dylan.

Last week, Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, an extremely rare recognition. In fact, he’s the first musician ever to win the award and now joins the ranks of literary giants such as T.S. Elliot and Samuel Beckett. You’d think that this news would spur celebration parties, press releases and boastful appearances on late night shows. But instead, in classic Dylan rebellion, he was nowhere to be found.


As the distinguished folks at the Nobel organization made futile attempts to contact Dylan, the musician wanted nothing to do with it. He was busy performing, writing new music, and well … being Bob Dylan. Nearly a week later, a small note appeared on his website listing the Nobel Prize as a single line in his bio. But as of Friday morning, the mention had been removed completely. Dylan refuses to publicly acknowledge the award and is expected to skip the fancy ceremony bestowing the honor upon him.

Too many of us have a backward view of achievement. We focus on the prize (recognition, money, fame, status) and then do our work as a means to an end. But true artists engage in their craft because it is their calling. Dylan writes music to express his creativity and to contribute to the world, not to win a trophy. He performs to bare his soul, and for the intrinsic rewards his work creates. Ironically, those that focus on the mastery of their craft are the ones that actually get all the prizes and goodies. The biggest rewards come to those who seek greatness, not those that chase the brass ring.

Think what would happen if you recaptured all the energy you spent eyeing the prize and diverted it into doing work that matters. Instead of a means to an end, view your craft as your chance to make a mark in the world. Do the kind of work you’d be proud to share with your great-grandkids someday. And in a counterintuitive way, the external markers you previously coveted will begin to effortless emerge at your doorstep.

Instead of taking a victory lap, Bob Dylan continues to play his authentic role of creating, writing, and performing. His Nobel Prize came as a byproduct of pursuing his calling, not the other way around. You can do the same. Double down your energy into doing work for the ages, and the recognition and rewards will take care of themselves.

The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind.

He's a good singer ( or was anyway), but he has always been anti social.

Had he won the Nobel Prize for odd ball.. then that would make sense.

Wow, Nobel comitty is shocked that Bob Dylan said ummm, yea... thanks man, and walked away???

Bobby D has made a career of being the way he is! Now he has to about face and kiss Euro *** because they give an award for chemistry, science and the humanities? Hello?? In memo of Dylan, He would just say, I am a man, nothing more...

Quotes

“It’s impolite and arrogant,” said the academy member, Swedish writer Per Wastberg, in comments aired on SVT public television.

On the evening of 13 October, the day the literature prize winner was announced, Dylan played a concert in Las Vegas during which he made no comment at all to his fans. 

Quote:

As for the prize

Well... it is all rigged anyway.

 "Barack Obama Finally Tells The Truth For The First Time!"

http://youtu.be/o4_0IX9__FI/

5 seconds 

Too many of us have a backward view of achievement. We focus on the prize (recognition, money, fame, status) and then do our work as a means to an end. But true artists engage in their craft because it is their calling. Dylan writes music to express his creativity and to contribute to the world, not to win a trophy. He performs to bare his soul, and for the intrinsic rewards his work creates. Ironically, those that focus on the mastery of their craft are the ones that actually get all the prizes and goodies. The biggest rewards come to those who seek greatness, not those that chase the brass ring.

Think what would happen if you recaptured all the energy you spent eyeing the prize and diverted it into doing work that matters. Instead of a means to an end, view your craft as your chance to make a mark in the world. Do the kind of work you’d be proud to share with your great-grandkids someday. And in a counterintuitive way, the external markers you previously coveted will begin to effortless emerge at your doorstep.

Instead of taking a victory lap, Bob Dylan continues to play his authentic role of creating, writing, and performing. His Nobel Prize came as a byproduct of pursuing his calling, not the other way around. You can do the same. Double down your energy into doing work for the ages, and the recognition and rewards will take care of themselves.

The answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind.

Well said Conrad

Bob Dylan? Man, I was bettin on Pinky Lee.