Fred. At 40, you can't have been there! Now, you might have studied the history of popular music, but, take it from me, in the context of the time - musically/lyrically - that was a valid question. Indeed, it's all to do with timing! Nobody would have dreamed of asking Dylan that question in 1962/63. Lkewise, nobody would have asked John Lennon that question in 1962/63. BUT, they might have asked Lennon that question, later, when he began to write in a more "poetic" way; indeed, of course, Lennon went on to publish his poetry. No, when Dylan was asked that question, the idea of the poet/singer - withn the rock era - was new. What interests me is why did Dylan give such a flippant answer? Probably because he didn't want to give - or couldn't think of - a sensible answer. I've listened to the interviews, and there are a number of ocassions in the interviews where it is obvious that Dylan is "playing with time", and giving himself a breathing space in which to formulate a "clever" answer. BUT, when he answered the poet/singer, question he simply said the first stupid thing that came into his head which, unfortunately, was crass, and insultng to the questioner who deserved an intelligent reply.