Robin Williams: Self-Aware?

While most great comedy comes at the sake of the comic's ability to forget one's self and sacrifice dignity and respectability for the audience, one comic's freakish ability to transform himself begs the questiton: Is Robin Williams self-aware?

Webter's defines the term "self-aware" as: having self-knowledge; self-consciousness; being self-cognizant. Does world-famous comedian Robin Williams possess any of these attributes? Let us examine.

The following clip is from an interview on Late Night with David Letterman:



Notice that for not one moment does the comedian seem aware that the questions he is being asked require cognizant and at least somewhat related answers. Occasionally, Williams begins by repeating some of the words found in the questions, but follows with ramblings that are at times in-cohesive and violently strange. In the same way that an animal (with the exception of dolphins, certain monkeys, and elephants) are only capable of their instinctive behaviors, Williams acts in a similar manner.

Dog owners often feel connected to their pet because at times, the dog seems able to communicate back to its owner. In reality, the dog is only acting out of instinct and learned behaviors in order to preserve its self and its standard of known life. Robin Williams appears to exhibit the exact same behaviors, only on a human level.

Another prime example is found in part 2 of this interview (which can be viewed immediately after part 1 by clicking the link in the same video box). Letterman begins part 2 by essentially asking Williams to recognize himself as human, but Williams again appears incapable of doing so.