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I need votes ... most influential person of the millenium ...
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I need votes ... most influential person of the millenium ... |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap 
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I just watched a program on this subject, and was extremely annoyed to discover that some panel of "experts" had made Sir Issac Newton take second seat to Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. I appreciate the power of the printed word, and the influence it has had on our society; however, I do not think I am going out on a limb by saying that the importance of the printing press is secondary to the understanding of the natural world (laws of motion, gravity, etc) and higher mathematics (invention of Calulus) that were only a few of the many gifts given to us by Issac Newton. Anyway, that is only my not-so-humble opinion ... now I want to know what you think ... who was the single most influential person of this millenium ... or, if you have a hard time choosing, the top three ...? It will be interesting to see where this leads ... Nocht ------------------ "Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus" (Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.") |
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| © Copyright 1999 Linda Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
I'm sorry to say, that neither of those are the most influential. There is someone far greater. Someone who will never be surpassed by any time or any generation. JESUS CHRIST is there really any other choice? ------------------ "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me." -Charles Brugnot |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
How did they define influential and what do they mean by 'our society'? Just by reading the question however, I would say: Christopher Columbus Elizabeth I and maybe Chinghis Kahn as people who certainly had a lot of impact on the world. Brad |
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
What good are the natural laws or God without the ability to pass that knowledge down? Language is the most important and effective communication tool available to us and the written word is doubly important since it allows the accumulation of vast amounts of knowledge over the generations and back to antiquity. Without it, our scientists would have to rediscover the natural laws all over again, individually. Likewise, God would have to be retaught and relearned with each individual. ------------------ Now and forever my heart hears ~one voice~. DreamEvil© |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Saxoness, I agree with you one hundred percent; however, the program I watched would never have included such a "fictitious" person ... unfortunately ...  Brad. I think all three of those that you mentioned were included in the 100; Kahn was 22, I think, and Columbus was in the top 10 ... the part of the program that I watched did not mention Elizabeth, but I only saw the top 33, so I'm sure she was in there somewhere ... Dream, I agree with your sentiments ... but does that mean that you are agreeing that Gutenberg deserves the honor..? He did not invent language, after all ... and we could always WRITE down our thoughts, if not print them ... Anyone else..?  Nocht |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Let's not forget the definition of millennium. We're talking a thousand years here - not two thousand - Ergo - Let's disqualify Jesus Christ on the grounds that he'd be too old - and go from there... ....still thinking..[This message has been edited by Nan (edited 10-12-1999).] |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Vague questions only lead to vague answers (not you Nocht, the TV people). For example - Nan, Jesus may not have been alive during the last 1,000 years, but He was still almost certainly the most influential figure of that era for most of the world. I think it's also fairly well accepted that many, many discoveries are inevitable. That's why we see so many things discovered simultaneiously, by two (or more) people that had no contact. The Theory of Evolution is one prime example. And while I certainly don't discredit Einstien's genius, had he not discovered Relativity at the turn of the century, someone would have. All the facts (and questions) were there and it was simply inevitable. Should someone in this category of "it was just time" be considered? Oh, and Columbus would almost certainly fall into this category. Nocht, I think Newton was almost without question the most brilliant human being in history. His contributions to knowlege are legendary. And, yes, I would probably give him the thumbs up over Gutenberg (though we all know we needed them both), simply because of respect for his genius. I'm not sure, though, whether I would include any scientists or inventors in my own list. Partly because I wouldn't know where to start (there are so many!), and partly because I think most discoveries are inevitable (most, but not all), but largely because I think society is more greatly influenced by politics, religion and philosophy. Who would I pick? Certainly Jesus, if we agreed his influence continued well past the century of his birth. Probably Thomas Jefferson, whose political philosophies have recreated much of our world. And, yea, Elizabeth I, for much the same reason as Jefferson. But there are so many others... Oh, and Gutenberg really wasn't all that big a deal. Most of our literature is on the computer now any way... |
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JP Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343Loomis, CA |
It's simple Elvis Presley ------------------ Yesterday is ash, tomorrow is smoke; only today does the fire burn. JP |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I would be interested to know where Hitler stood in this list...who said the influence had to be good? I feel he influenced a world's conscience! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Top three Ron Balladeer Nan and not necessarily in that order [my serious answer comes later...] |
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StratMatt Member
since 1999-09-19
Posts 87Macomb, IL, U.S.A. |
Well, as for Hitler, I'd put him one spot ahead of FDR, as FDR was the leader in charge of stopping the Axis powers from coming to world-wide power. As for top Gutenberg vs. Sir Isaac Newton, I can see the point for either, I honestly think that Gutenberg is more important for the millenium. The further into the future we go however, the more Newton will gain on him. This millenium's two greatest achievements were the Industrial Revolution, and education. Afterall, without the printing press, future scientists, authors, speakers, and leaders might not have had the chance to learn what was necessary to become what they were, and other things would never have been found. Think of a world where there were no books, and Newton's laws don't seem to matter as much. If you can't read and interpret simply knowledge like that, then the laws of physics mean nothing, and therefore, although the discoveries are important, they become non-influential. Without Gutenberg, Newton's laws mean nothing to the common people. Without Newton, Gutenberg still prints books, just not on Newton's laws. As for Christ, he is one of the most influential people in history, but not the millenium. He's not even #1 in history. There are other religions with a more major following. Hinduism I believe is number one. ------------------ "Lost time is never found again." -Ben Franklin. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Not too many have named people from this century, it seems. Princess Diana and Mother Teresa (in that order I have to say) ------------------ *Elizabeth* "Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low, But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..." "Something sweet, something sort of grandish, sweeps my soul when thou art near..." |
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fjones Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 98MS |
I know Jesus has the ability to be the most influential person in anyone’s life but only if you allow him the opportunity. As far as who has influenced society, believe it or not, we all do to some degree—Just some more than others. So be careful ---You do leave marks!!! |
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Trevor Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 700Canada |
One must first uncover where someone else's influence ended and originality begins. Was Newton a genius because he of his own thoughts or was he a genius because of the influence of those who came before him? If he wasn't influenced by whoever influenced him would he have been the person he was.....I don't know? So who should recieve the credit? Was Jesus the most influential person or were the people who wrote the bible? If no one had written about Jesus, would he still be remembered???? Who should get the credit for Christian influence??? I think it's very hard to find the true defining inspiration that directs someone into greatness, perhaps it's a cummulation brought into focus by a singular event or maybe a slow gradual development. Maybe the most influential person/people is society as a whole. Would the phone have been invented if there wasn't a society in need of such, would plumbling have been concieved if humans hadn't evolved into a creature with a need for such? Perhaps society as a whole has influenced all the great minds more than they have influenced us or perhaps it is a balanced scale? Is not creation out of need??? I don't know, just throwing out some ideas. If I have to get frugal with answers and pin-point more accurately influential people.....In my opinion the most influential people in the Millenium would have to be my parents, my brother and my friends. They have shaped me more than any book, computer, trinket or theory ever has. If all those named in the list never existed my life would be different but not those who have helped shape who I am. Yeah I know its a bias opinion.....but a little parental patronage never hurt  |
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cullin New Member
since 1999-10-25
Posts 4houston tx |
chuck jones and mel blanc yep those are who i say it is!!! cullin ------------------ "imagination is more important than knowledge" albert einstine "no matter how pretty the cemetary, its still full of corpses" my friend aaryn |
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brandondinsmore Member
since 1999-10-27
Posts 142OKC, OK |
Although everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I am filled with sickness and disgustupon reading Princess Diana's name as a "top 100" influential person. She might have influenced some people (mainly after she fricking died) but she in no way influenced the entire world over history. I think that the most influential person would have to be older than Einstein. Therefor my vote would most likely, MOST LIKELY! go to: Julius Caesar or Plutarch ------------------ |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Hmmm -- how about Edison? Where does he fit into this? I am uncertain how you feel about it, but I enjoy electric lighting (which is only one of his many discoveries). That is, of course, if we are talking about inventions -- if we are judging based on ideas or theory, I would have to say that Sir Issac and Einstein would have to fight over the proverbial cake. --Kess ------------------ You cannot choose the way of your death, but the path you choose will determine its own end. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
If so many people are naming her, she's obviously influenced them. ------------------ *Elizabeth* "Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low, But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..." "Something sweet, something sort of grandish, sweeps my soul when thou art near..." |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Was I on that list.....LOL Ah my choices: Gandhi Thomas Edison and Einstein ------------------ Alis volat propriis (She flies with her own wings) |
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