Most Influential Person. . .

Just before the dawn of the new "millenium" (it was actually 2000), A&E Biography ran a several part show called "The 100 Most Influential People of the Millenium," or something like that. They determined that Johann Gutenberg was the most influential person of the last millenium, with William Shakespeare in a close second (after that all I remember is that Bill Gates was 91, though).Anyway, while searching for this list on the internet, I discovered a similar list by LIFE Magazine (Page not found - LIFE). However, LIFE believes Thomas Edison is deserving of the honor. What really amazed me, though, is that Johann Gutenberg is NOT even on LIFE's list. Also, they have Genghiz Khan's grandson, Kublai, on the list and not Genghiz, and Mary Shelley is in the top twenty.So I've decided to open it up for debate (if anyone cares). Just who is the most influential person of the last millenium? Or better yet--who is the most influential person EVER?I'll hold off on my choices until someone else replies.

I don't really think the question can be answered because it depends upon a subjective definition of "influential."Is influencing philosophical thought more "influential" than influencing technological progress?

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Rrhain
WWJD? JWRTFM!

Galileo

I'm tired enough to have read that and thought for a second, "They think Steve Gutenberg is the most influential man of the last millenium? Did I wake up in a parallel universe again?"I need more coffee.

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"Perhaps you should take your furs and your literal interpretations to the other side of the river."
-Anya

I think a good argument can be made for Gutenberg. Ignoring for right now the impact of the Gutenberg Bible, the printing press did have far reaching effects on human culture. The printing press gave the poor access to reading materials and increased literacy among the peasantry. Perhaps even the Renaissance and Reformation would not have occurred without the printing press. Imagine if only the nobility and priests were literate when Martin Luther posted his note on the church doors. Even Yoda would say, "Hmmm, Important he was."

My top five would be:Newton
Gutenberg
Shakespeare
Marx
Galilei

Newton, Galileo, Niels Bohr, Albert Einstein, Kepler and the list goes on and on. Its to hard to choose a single one. So many people have contributed in so many different ways that it can be unfair to give one the number one spot

Robert Zimmerman
Friedrich Wilheim Nietzsche
Samuel Clemens
Thomas Paine

Than I agree with Jazz. Too many different interacting contributions to sort out.

Oh, I had forgotten about Thomas Paine. He should be up near the top. I don't think Clemens was influential enough to be considered top four, though.[This message has been edited by phil, 02-14-2004]

I have seen this lists before, especially back around 2000.I would put for the last 1000 years:Newton
Gutenberg
Hitler
Luther
Lenin
DarwinFor all time (neglecting unknowns like the 'wheel inventor'):Jesus (assuming he was an individual and not invented by Paul)
Mohammed
Plato
Augustus Caesar
Alexander the Great
Aristarchus
Newton
Darwin

Ah....You just couldn't help the dig about Jesus, I see he is the only one you gave some extra mis-information about.Mohammed??[This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 02-14-2004]

EVER?I'd have to say God, because he's been there for ever and influenced everything. Also Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit.For this forum,Crashfrog (should recieve medal for effort)
Rei (could have wrote a novel)[This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 02-14-2004]

Mike:Please note in the original message that the question is "who are the most influencial PEOPLE of the last millennium?"Now, characteristic of a Christian, we have a person assigning human personage to God and the Holy Ghost.Typical.

Let's not turn this into a theological argument eh!
I see God as a person - the person of Christ. Are you saying I am not allowed to put forth those who I think are influential?I also said Crashfrog and Rei for this forum, but they could be computer programs!Is it not possible that God has a personality - and the Holy ghost, and so they are a person, not a man! Don't put words in my mouth.I was answering the message that said "person" - as I quoted, not the one you quoted saying "people".[This message has been edited by mike the wiz, 02-14-2004]