MSNBC had run a rather extensive poll regarding the 10 most influential people of the 21st century. These people could have been in politics, TV, music, technology, the arts, media….any field that has influenced America, or the world. Their results are being revealed today. The hosts: Mike, Mika, Willie and Joe, all had their lists. Only one matched ‘the people.’
Regardless of what the people in that poll thing, what do you all think? Who are your top 5? How about your reasons. Influence is an interesting word. It doesn’t have to be positive. I will post the results of the polls later today, after others have a chance to contribute.
Who are the top 5 most influential people of the 21st century? (downsizing for brevity)
UPDATE: Let’s go with 10 people so you don’t have to cheat like Moe and I did.
I based my choices on the impact I believe people had on world events the past 10 years and, as MH said in the description, impact can be positive or negative. Here are my top 5.
1. Osama bin Laden: He didn’t invent terrorism, but he transformed it from what most viewed as a sporadic regional issue (think Middle East, Munich, Belfast, etc.) with minimal impact on the United States to a global issue that effects how governments and people function worldwide 24/7. If you’ve traveled by air lately you’ve experienced a little of bin Laden’s influence.
2. George W. Bush: Took office following a decade of peace and prosperity. Led the nation into two protracted wars, cut taxes, borrowed heavily from China to cover the deficit, and oversaw the biggest financial decline since the Great Depression. World opinion of the United States fell sharply during his tenure. A poll of presidential historians ranks him #36 of 42 presidents, just ahead of Millard Fillmore.
3. Mark Zuckerberg: Started Facebook in 2004 and now has more than a half-billion people worldwide with accounts. Zuckerberg created a social media phenomenon that has people of all ages connecting and reconnecting with others on the internet.
4. Vladimir Putin: Putin was the official leader of Russia as its president from 2000-2008 and he is still considered to be the de facto leader in his role as Prime Minister. Russia experienced strong fiscal growth the past decade as it reformed its markets and economic model. Russia continues to exercise significant influence in the region and still sits on a large nuclear arsenal. Putin was Time’s Person of the Year in 2007 and his favorability rating among Russians is consistently in the 80% range.
5. Sarah Palin – Jon Stewart – Glenn Beck – George Soros – Ruppert Murdoch – Arianna Huffington – the Koch Brothers: This list of manipulators is not all-inclusive, but represents some who demonstrated great skill using the media and using money to manipulate people, public opinion, and policy. I’m sure opinions differ on which ones manipulated for good and which ones manipulated for bad, but you can’t deny their impact.
What an excellent list, Moe. I actually agree with you on most of them. I probably would have included Oprah Winfrey where Putin is. She has shaped how we accept things, at least the female world accepts things, and not just about girlie things. She is also everything American: rags to riches, breaking ceilings previously unbroken, intelligent, humble, wants to give back.
I would have also included the Clintons. If it weren’t for Hillary, Bill would have to go with last century. Hillary broke through some barriers on her own. She is scruffy. She gets knocked down and she gets up swinging. She, more than anyone else, is truly the come back kid.
Jon Stewart–I would separate and elevate him from the rest of that pack for the following reason–he has redefined politics. Unlike Bill Maher who just shows a sense of mean-spiritedness and pokes fun at what many people hold sacred, Stewart has been able to move from comedy to satire and to holding journalists accountable. He, depite what ‘the Gretch’ says, does hold both parties and all people accountable.
I would have stuck Barack Obama in there somewhere. Like him or hate him, his influence has been inserted, if for no other reason, he broke a barrier most people didn’t think possible, at least most people over 40. This influence will continue long after all of us are dead and gone.
I would also put Steve Jobs up near the top. He changed the way we listen to music, use our computers and entertain ourselves. That takes up a big chunk of time. I might make him share the line item with Mark Zuckerberg.
Definitely agree on Steve Jobs. He’s one of the last great builders. While other CEOs are trying to figure out how to outsource more jobs and cut costs this guy just continues to innovate and conjure economic activity out of thin air. He could manufacture a dishwasher and people would buy it.
MH – I thought of all the names you mentioned. If I was compiling as list limited to influence on the U.S. alone I would omit Putin and probably add Oprah. I think her influence has waned a bit, but for most of the decade she had unmatched make or break clout. I agree with you and Cato about Steve Jobs, the best CEO of the decade in my opinion. What he’s done at Apple is remarkable, but in my view not a global game-changer like Facebook was the past few years. He helped shape the tools we use to connect where Zuckerberg created a new means to connect that quickly became ubiquitous. I think the group I listed #5 had real domestic influence. Palin clearly had an impact on who is or is not in the 112th Congress and what we discuss around the dinner table, and Stewart pulled in 25 million people to his rally (using TP math) and made the 9/11 first responder bill a priority that got done. To the extent they wield domestic influence in the world’s most powerful country they also help shape global perspectives and actions.
I don’t disagree at all over your list with #5. I just don’t think Stewart belongs lumped in with him. I think he has done a little differently than the others. I don’t think he has manipulated quite as much.
When we look at Jobs though, I am not sure he hasn’t had global impact. How many ipads and iphones shipped overseas? How many stayed overseas probably is more to the point. How many jobs were created in China by Jobs?
I will let you have Putin if I can have Jobs. I don’t think Putin should be pulled off the list.
Survey results from MSNBC:
#10 Colin Powell
# 9 Rush Limbaugh
#8 Ted Kennedy
#7 Hillary Clinton
#6 Allan Greenspan
#5 Bill Gates
#4 Bill Clinton
#3 Oprah Winfrey
#2 George Bush
#1 Barack Obama
Rush Limbaugh called Chelsea Clinton the “white house dog” when she was 13 years old. He said “did you know there was a dog in the white house” and a photo of the child appeared. To see his name on this list makes me ill. There is a postive about every person on that list. I can’t think of one for him.
Oh I think he is a pig also, Juturna. And yes, he most certainly did call her the white house dog. Mr. Family values.
However, he is very influenital, like Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin over many people. (I am sorry to say.)
rush, the greatest american since george washington, despised feared and hated by his political adversaries who have tried for twenty years to destroy him but without success, take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for rush is with us
In your dreams, e.
Actually, your beloved Rush is just an A-hole who appeals to a lot of others like him. Sorry to disillusion you. I guess everyone needs a hero.
If you believe a college dropout and a 4-F’er who makes $40M a year flapping his fat jowls preaching family values and conservative principles after being married 4 times and entering a plea deal to a fraud charge after getting busted for drugs that netted him a stint in rehab and a $30K fine then you obviously hold America and its real heros in very low regard. “Rush is with us” … just as long as those checks keep clearing down at the bank. Is that a “baaahh” I hear from the sheepeople whose opinions are furnished, not formed?
i still have on my hard drive the resolution signed by the democrats in the senate back in 2004? 05? condemning rush for his phony soldiers statement. no one can refute the man in the arena of ideas, progressive liberalism is built upon a stack of lies and false premises, rush is despised and hated for his ability to expose those lies and false premises, to boldly proclaim that the annointed one obama has no clothes, the very mention of rush’s name sends liberals into paroxysms of rage and hatred, like showing dracula the cross! the truth shall set you free
Eejit — An idiot, dolt, or dullard; a mentally deficient person, or someone who acts in a self-defeating or significantly counterproductive way.
so he’s a college dropout. isn’t mark zuckerberg of facebook too? bill gates? and it’s 56+ mil, not 40. always the ad hominem attacks. repeat: fight him in the arena of ideas, prove him wrong, but ah that would always be a losing proposition for his attackers.
in regard to flapping jowls: why don’t you try extemporaneous speech 3 hours a day 5 times a week? it’s a lot harder than it seems. people in america get paid (at least as long as we remain a capitalistic society) based on their ability to produce a good or service. professional sports players get paid big bucks because the talent they possess is exceedingly rare. it’s seems the “baaah” element is exuded by those who criticize a radio program that i daresay never listen to with the exception of the biased snippets doled out to them by media matters
See #13 above … and Merry Christmas!
see # 14 above…and a happy new year!
There was nothing political about calling a girl child a dog. Defend that.
i honestly don’t think the ferocious animosity and venomous hatred that rush arouses amongst his political opponents can be attributed to the colorful language he employs. i hear politicians and other prominent figures say all kinds of things and if they’re democrats they usually get away with it. like the “reverend” jesse jackson expressing his desire to cut off obama’s nuts, like robert byrd of blessed memory casually talking about white niggers on national tv, like joe biden casually talking about how indians run 7-elevens, and so on. the truth of the matter, let people say what they want, i think political correctness has stifled free speech to a point to where the truth and people’s honest opinions and reflections are stifled to everyone’s detriment.
Rick Santelli – For inspiring the Tea Party to get started
Barack Obama – For inspiring millions to vote (for whatever reason)
Michelle Obama – For inspiring thousands of women to seek fashion inspiration elsewhere
Glenn Beck – For inspiring millions to read (if only to refute him)
Sarah Palin – For inspiring others to get involved in politics (if only to defeat her)
Barney Frank and Chris Dodd – For inspiring millions to buy houses that they couldn’t afford
George Soros – For funding thousands of organizations that advance his agenda
Mohammed – For inspiring thousands of people to explode
Jesus – For inspiring millions to love one another
Al Gore – For inspiring thousands of others to make money off of “global warming”
Santa Claus – For inspiring millions of children to behave for at least 2 weeks out of the year
Michelle Obama–not fair. Women are not mindless bimbos who follow the first lady. She has been gracious and represented America with dignity
Glenn Beck should share that spot with Oprah Winfrey who has also encouraged millions of people to read a variety of books.
Barney Frank and Chris Dodd– totally unfair. You are holding 2 people responsible for a global situation. That is pure bull crap. The buy inspiration started before George Bush.
George Soros–You have been listening to too much Richard Murdoch. If one is blamed, both must be blamed.
Mohammad–again, why is Mohammad responsible for the evil men do? He didn’t write the Koran any more than Jesus wrote the bible.
Al Gore–not sure he is totally wrong. That is a mighty big leap to assume climate change is all a hoax. Science should never be political.
The Moonhowler — For having the guts to keep this blog from becoming an echo chamber like so may others on the web.
“many others” Geezers must learn to edit.
@Moon-howler
Michelle is fashion challenged.
Beck could share with Winfrey.
Frank and Dodd started this before Bush. They told Bush that Fannie and Freddie were great and didn’t need reform because it might stop poor people from buying houses.
Soros funds hundreds of organizations that influence government and organize people. Notice that I did NOT say that this was bad, though I do consider him dangerous to America.
The Koran WAS written during Mohammed’s lifetime and, at least, some BY HIM. Unlike the Bible and New Testatment, the Koran is the direct instructions by Mohammed on how to be a good Muslim. Jesus did not write the New Testament.
Al Gore did inspire people to make a profit on global warming. More evidence that its a hoax: http://www.c3headlines.com/2010/12/new-zealand-climate-scientists-admit-to-faking-temperatures-the-actual-temps-show-little-warming-ove.html
I want to figure out how to make a profit on global cooling….
@Wolverine, thank you very much.
@Cargo,
Michelle–Maybe she is. But…she is American, doesn’t spend a fortune on clothes, is a unique build, and probably has done more good than bad as far as her dress goes. She has made arms a showable body part. Look at Mika and Gretchen. Dead of winter. Arms.
Not sure I am going to agree about Barny and Chris. How would they know and what were they basing it on. Those two agencies weren’t the root cause of all that happened anyway. I don’t like how they are always lumped together. They really aren’t working buddies.
The Koran, truthfully, I don’t know enough or care enough to defend them one way or the other. The NT contains the directives of Jesus also. While the books weren’t written during his lifetime, several authors were his contemporaries and knew him. Not picking a fight over Jesus though.
Al Gore- I have never seen his movie. I kept falling asleep during it. Can[‘t even remember its name. Inconvenient Truth? I don’t want to read a bunch of scientific mumbo jumbo. Here is my take: It would be impossible, logically speaking, to propose that all the crap we dump into the atmosphere would have no affect on it. Glaciers are melting and the growing season is getting close to being almost a month longer than it was 25 years ago around here.
It appears that winter is changing. I think we would have to wait and see a pattern though. I am not ready to say there is no climate change because of greenhouse gases, carbon emissions, or any other crap we dump into the atmosphere. I feel certain it affects the atmosphere. Evidence from the Krakatowa erruption threw climate into chaos for years. Why should auto emissions be different year after year after year?
How about the profits made off of oil, coal and natural gas? There are artificial shortages all the time. I also believe Gore is sincere. He has been a proponent of environmental issues for years.
profit is not an evil word. profit is what motivates the farmer to get up before dawn to tend to his crops, profit is what motivates the truckdriver to deliver your food to your grocery store, and yes profit is what motivates folks to extract the oil gas and coal that keeps us warm in the winter and frankly keeps our civilization running. without the motivation of profit you’ll end up like the soviet union or worse. obama is not the messiah
inconvenient truth was actually somewhat interesting to watch, what not with gore’s folksy southern drawl waxing on about daddy’s tobacco farm, but his analysis about global warming is totally bogus. oh, we don’t use that term anymore, sorry, climate change. does gore really believe his own rhetoric? judging from his extremely opulent lifestyle and the so called carbon exchanges or what not that he set up to profit from in the event cap and tax or whatever other hairbrained scheme mandarin bureaucrats in the epa concoct, i think he’s full of it
1. George W Bush – committed America towards endless deficit spending; squandered immense wealth; undercut conservatism unlike anything yet seen; reacted so virulently to Middle Eastern terrorism as to commit our nation to a very active (military) presence in the Middle East for decades.
2. Roger Ailes & FOX News – found a happy friendly way to get conservative viewpoints & spin into American discourse.
3. Dick Cheney – for leading Bush towards solutions that benefitted Cheney’s friends and mutual investors, war profiteering that drove American policy
4. Barack Obama – for showing that race is not really such a limiting factor if you have a gift for likeability and vacuously telling people what they want to hear
5. Osama bin Laden – for his massive miscalculation that America would be cowed by terrorism away from involvement in the Middle East
“Michelle–Maybe she is. But…she is American, doesn’t spend a fortune on clothes” – sorry but I just couldn’t resist 🙂
“Fashionable First Lady Michelle Obama helps the poor in $540 sneakers”
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/05/michelle-obama-shoes.html
That really isn’t that expensive for high end tennis shoes. If I had to be on my feet as much as she does, I would probably cough that up.
As far as first ladies go, she isn’t really as high end as many have been.
I suppose if you don’t think $540 isn’t much for tennis shoes than you are correct, Michelle doesn’t spend a fortune on clothes.
Geez, I would hate to see what you think IS expensive for a pair of tennis shoes. 🙂
“high end tennis shoes” should be an oxymoron. $120 is too much for tennis shoes. Bring back canvas tennis shoes. I can’t throw my leather covered ones in the wash.
@Cato,
I try not to exceed fifty bucks myself. But….I also don’t have as much $$$$ as the Obama’s and I don’t keep up her pace. How about middle school and high school kids paying $300 a pair for athletic shoes?
If $540 isn’t much for tennis shoes $300 are dirt cheap/dollar store shoes.