Most Influential Person in History

[Philip]

Stumbled across this list - Time Magazine put out a data-driven list of the "100 Most Significant Figures in History" - was both surprised and not surprised at the #1 most important one - with Napoleon coming in 2nd place: http://ideas.time.com/2013/12/10/whos-b ... n-history/

[patrick]

I'm not sure what the time's affiliation is, but looking at wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus) it seems the general consensus among educated atheists is that Jesus really did exist, He just wasn't who He said He was.

The list also notably doesn't distinguish between whether their influence was positive or negative. So while I'm pleased they didn't try to deny the influence Jesus certainly had, looking down the list I'm not sure it's exactly a ringing endorsement.

[Philip]

The criteria the list was based upon is the IMPACT - whether good or bad - that each of these individuals had, per what the historical data has shown concerning their impact upon society and the world.

[patrick]

Yeah I know, I was reacting mostly to the "surprised and not surprised" part.

Anyhow, it's a very interesting list, and the ones I checked for were listed (or not listed) appropriately. A lot of people, for instance, are quick to bash Sigmund Freud, and he certainly had some rather questionable ideas, but he nevertheless had a pretty strong influence on our current conceptions.

[thatkidakayoungguy]

It's ironic seeing how a penniless preacher whose religion looked like it'd never last did, and that God incarnate is the most influential man ever.