It probably just comes down to pheromones, or astrology, or personal taste(!). I started listening to Dylan when I was 12-- his early albums influenced me a lot, because I was idealistic and those songs spoke to me, and his voice (I still think) suited his songs. I loved to listen to him. I can think of lots of folk singers who had much rougher voices than his. Blonde on Blonde was probably the last album of his I bought-- I'd been captured by Celtic/British music and Old Time music, and had limited pennies. But over the years I've heard some of his newer stuff and found occasional gems. I still like his early stuff best. But then, astrologically speaking, my chart and his resonate, so it doesn't surprise me. I don't think we all have to get turned on by the same stuff. What does surprise me is such over the top reactions as some people here have expressed. (Though I feel pretty much that way about George Bush! No use for him. I think he's unethical, greedy and a lot of other unsavory things-- now there's someone who has really hurt some people. I guess we all dislike someone.)
As for the Dr. I know some PhDs who supposedly earned them that I wouldn't give you two cents for. The sad thing is having those degrees made them EXTREMELY arrogant and officious. It's really not black and white, guys...

Bekki