GENIUS FORUMS

Just watched a documentary about Spike Milligan. No-one on that program were in any doubt that Spike was one of the few modern day geniuses, for supposedly breaking new ground in comedy, for the extent of his output, as well as for his character and his spiritual concerns for society and the environment.

I can't say that I agree, for while I do concede a little genius for Bob Dylan, I think Milligan has probably several times less, though still a great deal more than the average man.

Dylan appears to me to have a lot more substance, although if I met these characters in person and spent some time with them, my views may well change.

Milligan had substance in spurts, but spent most of his life trying to avoid it. Those close to him said of him that "He couldn't cope with reality". That's probably because he had a few glimpses of it.

"He couldn't cope with reality".

Comedians turn to comedy precisely because they can't cope with expereiences of reality when young. Impressing other people with humour becomes an outlet for their sensitivity - without it they fret and get depressed, unless of course something else replaces it.