Forum Top 100 Final List

[vcczar]

Note: I'll post from 100 to 1, posting one figure per day.

@A man from Colorado @Arkansas Progressive @Beetlejuice @Bloot911 @bradleyg223 @Cal @carbonmonoxide321 @Cenzonico @ConservativeElector2 @DakotaHale @Dobs @Edouard @Entrecampos @Fbarbarossa @Hestia @Ich_bin_Tyler @Ishan @jnewt @jvikings1 @Kitten @Lars @Mark_W @mark2 @matthewyoung123 @MrPotatoTed @OrangeP47 @Patine @pilight @Pringles @Rezi @Rodja @Sean F Kennedy @ShortKing @SilentLiberty @The Blood @themiddlepolitical @Timur @vcczar @Vicx @Vols21 @Willthescout7 @WVProgressive @Zenobiyl and anyone else. 

#100 - ELVIS PRESLEY

"King of Rock n' Roll"; Pop culture icon who popularized rock music worldwide.

While Elvis gets the lowly distinction of being last in our top 100, he did defeat 700+ other people from history. 

[vcczar]

@A man from Colorado @Arkansas Progressive @Beetlejuice @Bloot911 @bradleyg223 @Cal @carbonmonoxide321 @Cenzonico @ConservativeElector2 @DakotaHale @Dobs @Edouard @Entrecampos @Fbarbarossa @Hestia @Ich_bin_Tyler @Ishan @jnewt @jvikings1 @Kitten @Lars @Mark_W @mark2 @matthewyoung123 @MrPotatoTed @OrangeP47 @Patine @pilight @Pringles @Rezi @Rodja @Sean F Kennedy @ShortKing @SilentLiberty @The Blood @themiddlepolitical @Timur @vcczar @Vicx @Vols21 @Willthescout7 @WVProgressive @Zenobiyl and anyone else. 

#99 - Johann Sebastian Bach

Often considered the greatest composer of all time for his mastery in counterpoint, modulation, and contrapuntal motion; Arguably the most inventive composer.

Bach is basically tied with #98, but since Bach performed slightly worse against #100 (Elvis Presley), he ends up here. Bach is generally closer to the middle of top 100 rankings. 

[vcczar]

@A man from Colorado @Arkansas Progressive @Beetlejuice @Bloot911 @bradleyg223 @Cal @carbonmonoxide321 @Cenzonico @ConservativeElector2 @DakotaHale @Dobs @Edouard @Entrecampos @Fbarbarossa @Hestia @Ich_bin_Tyler @Ishan @jnewt @jvikings1 @Kitten @Lars @Mark_W @mark2 @matthewyoung123 @MrPotatoTed @OrangeP47 @Patine @pilight @Pringles @Rezi @Rodja @Sean F Kennedy @ShortKing @SilentLiberty @The Blood @themiddlepolitical @Timur @vcczar @Vicx @Vols21 @Willthescout7 @WVProgressive @Zenobiyl and anyone else. 

#98 - The Beatles

The most influential and best-selling band of all time; fundamentally changed pop music and the music industry worldwide; had large impact on sociocultural movements; arguably the most diverse and experimental band as well, mastering a range of inventive styles.

Overall, it seems the forum thinks least highly of musicians in the top 100. The bottom three are all musicians. Unless I'm mistaken, the Beatles might be the youngest people in the top 100. 

[vcczar]

@A man from Colorado @Arkansas Progressive @Beetlejuice @Bloot911 @bradleyg223 @Cal @carbonmonoxide321 @Cenzonico @ConservativeElector2 @DakotaHale @Dobs @Edouard @Entrecampos @Fbarbarossa @Hestia @Ich_bin_Tyler @Ishan @jnewt @jvikings1 @Kitten @Lars @Mark_W @mark2 @matthewyoung123 @MrPotatoTed @OrangeP47 @Patine @pilight @Pringles @Rezi @Rodja @Sean F Kennedy @ShortKing @SilentLiberty @The Blood @themiddlepolitical @Timur @vcczar @Vicx @Vols21 @Willthescout7 @WVProgressive @Zenobiyl and anyone else. 

#97 - Mikhail Gorbachev

Reformed the USSR towards social democrazy and Western tolerances, including limited market capitalism; arguably the most influential figure in the breakup of the USSR, despite his intentions to keep it together.

Our first non-musician and the bottom non-musician in our poll. As a kid, he was the first Russian figure I had heard of. He was always in the news. It's crazy that he's still alive. If the USSR were still active, he might be be on year 37ish in power.

[matthewyoung123]

1 hour ago, vcczar said:

@A man from Colorado @Arkansas Progressive @Beetlejuice @Bloot911 @bradleyg223 @Cal @carbonmonoxide321 @Cenzonico @ConservativeElector2 @DakotaHale @Dobs @Edouard @Entrecampos @Fbarbarossa @Hestia @Ich_bin_Tyler @Ishan @jnewt @jvikings1 @Kitten @Lars @Mark_W @mark2 @matthewyoung123 @MrPotatoTed @OrangeP47 @Patine @pilight @Pringles @Rezi @Rodja @Sean F Kennedy @ShortKing @SilentLiberty @The Blood @themiddlepolitical @Timur @vcczar @Vicx @Vols21 @Willthescout7 @WVProgressive @Zenobiyl and anyone else. 

#97 - Mikhail Gorbachev

Reformed the USSR towards social democrazy and Western tolerances, including limited market capitalism; arguably the most influential figure in the breakup of the USSR, despite his intentions to keep it together.

Our first non-musician and the bottom non-musician in our poll. As a kid, he was the first Russian figure I had heard of. He was always in the news. It's crazy that he's still alive. If the USSR were still active, he might be be on year 37ish in power.

I always look at him and think a bird crapped on his head...is that...just me?

[vcczar]

9 minutes ago, matthewyoung123 said:

I always look at him and think a bird crapped on his head...is that...just me?

It’s a birthmark 

[matthewyoung123]

13 minutes ago, vcczar said:

It’s a birthmark 

Oh I know!  My step-dad used to make fun of it though...and THE NAKED GUN (and some other comedy skit) did the same back in the 80's.  I'm old.  Thanks.

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by matthewyoung123

[vcczar]

#96 - Ronald Reagan

Iconic conservative leader who played a large role in the worldwide movement to end Communism and the Cold War. More or less ended a half-century run on New Deal policy government at the executive level.

It seems fitting that Reagan and his Soviet counterpart, Gorbachev, would come one right after the other. 

[vcczar]

#95 - Deng Xiaoping

Initiated the economic-market reforms that made China the production capital of the world by the 21st century and a major power.

Deng is arguably the most consequential leader of the 1980s. Reagan and Thatcher get more press but Deng is more lasting. It makes sense that he edges out both Reagan and Gorbachev. He drops only if both Communism collapses permanently and the massive Chinese economy crashes long term.

[vcczar]

#94 - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Revolutionary composer that created the bridge from classical music to romantic era music by breaking free of classical tradition in music; Arguably the "Father of Modern Musical Composition" for doing so.

We're back to musicians in the bottom 10. 

[vcczar]

#93 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

One of the most well-known and influential classical musicians. A common example of child prodigy and inexhaustible genius.

Yet, another musician on the bottom of the list, but perhaps they're lucky to make the top 100 list at all. Mozart can at least claim victory over Beethoven, Bach, the Beatles, and Elvis. 

[vcczar]

#92 - Joan of Arc

Long-lasting pop culture icon for having led or inspired several French victories against the English, possibly saving France permanently.

Joan of Arc is both the first woman presented and the first (and only?) person to make this list despite dying as a teenager. One wonders if she would have made much progress on this list had she lived 50 more years. Personally, I think it was probably her 15 minutes of fame and she was killed off at the apex of her influence, but I could be wrong. She never referred to herself as Joan of Arc. She called herself Joan la Pucelle or Joan the Maid. She was illiterate. Doctors would probably diagnose her with schizophrenia or something like that today or some kind of delusional disorder. Nevertheless, she was impactful. 

 

[vcczar]

#91 - Winston Churchill

The earliest and leading advocate against Nazi Germany and Cold War Soviet Russia, ensuring the containment of both expanding powers.

Churchill edges out Joan of Arc. Both dealt with invading forces and successfully repelled invasions. Both were advocates for the defense of their nation. Seems right that they both appear on our list close to each other. 

[vcczar]

#90 - Dante Alighieri

Wrote arguably the greatest literary work in the Italian language; Called the "Father of the Italian Language" for making Italian the language of literature in Italy, rather than Latin; his depictions of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory have influence religion, politics, and the arts.

He's the first literary figure to show up, which means he's also the last. Had the Protestant Reformation never occurred and had Italian--rather than English--become the lingua franca of the world, Dante would clearly be in the top 50, if not the top 25. 

[vcczar]

#89 - Werner Heisenberg

While not the founder of quantum mechanics, he's probably the most influential figure within it for his "Uncertainty Principle" and other theories; huge impact on the study of atoms, radiation, and nuclear programs.

Some scientists might find it odd that he isn't better ranked, but there's just so many genres of genius in these polls. 

[vcczar]

#88 - Oliver Cromwell

Victor of the English Civil War; his protectorate gave Europe a clear example that a monarchy wasn’t necessary for a stable government. He inspired future revolutionaries desiring a Republic. Reformed the English military and navy.

 

He'd certainly ranking even better had the English Civil War permanently ended the monarchy. The portrait above is the famed "warts and all" portrait. Monarchs routinely were painted with what was the Zoom filter or selfie filter of their time. Cromwell demanded that the artist paint him as he was, "warts and all." 

[vcczar]

#87 - Michelangelo Buonarroti

 

Considered by many as the "Greatest Artist of All Time" for his paintings, frescoes, architecture, and sculptures; Painted the Sistine Chapel and was one of the architects for St. Peter's Basillica. Triggered the Mannerism art movement; also a famous Italian poet.

So long as the College of Cardinals meets in the Sistine Chapel to elect a Pope, Michelangelo will remain in the top 100. 

[vcczar]

#86 - William Harvey

first to discover and detail the circulation of the blood.

In the painting above, Harvey demonstrates his discovery to King Charles I. One wonders if Charles thought about Harvey's discovery shortly before being beheaded. 

[Bloot911]

Did Harvey tie with Michaelangelo?

[vcczar]

1 minute ago, Bloot911 said:

Did Harvey tie with Michaelangelo?

Oops. Fixed 

[vcczar]

#85 - Louis Daguerre

Invented the daguerreotype, a crucial step in the development of photography.

Definitely one of the greats, but I'm personally surpised he made the top 100 considering he didn't invent photography and only made a major contribution to photography. I don't think the inventor of photography even made the top 100. Nevertheless, he's possibly the most iconic figure in photography since his process allowed thousands if not millions of photographs of the Victorian Era and the American Civil War.

[vcczar]

#84 - Sigmund Freud

Founder of psychanalysis, psychotherapy, and the theory of the unconscious; inspired arts, literature, and film with his influence on Surrealism.

No doubt huge in the 20th century. Part of me wonders if he'll still be in a top 100 list by the year 2023. People in his field seem to be moving away from him. 

[vcczar]

#83 - Michael Faraday

for his laws of induction, which predict how a magnetic field will interact with an electric circuit to produce an electromotive force.

Not as flashy as some of these top scientists despite his discovery

[vcczar]

#82 - Henry VIII

Created the Church of England by breaking from the Catholic Church; "Father of the British Navy," greatly expanded royal power, presided as the Renaissance was just emerging in England.

He's probably more famous for his many wives among those who know little of history. His creation of the Church of England is a major turning point in the history of religion and in the relation of the state with religion. 

[vcczar]

#81 - Elizabeth I

inspired the flowering of English literature and language, especially drama. Set the foundation for English colonialism, and the concept of the British Empire. Reestablished England as a protestant state.

It makes sense that she and her father are so closely linked in this poll. It is difficult to establish who is really more influential.