Forum Top 100 Final List

[vcczar]

#33 - Max Planck

Originator of quantum theory/quantum mechanics, which is crucial to the understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.

This guy is just gushing with charisma. 

[vcczar]

#32 - Napoleon

Most studied military figure in human history; directly involved in the destruction of the Holy Roman Empire, the expedition that discovered the Rosetta Stone, creation of the Napoleonic Code, the Louisiana Purchase, and more; Inspired European nationalism which would later see the unification of Germany and Italy; Inspired the concept of the Great Man theory; nearly conquered continental Europe; his defeat led to the Concert of Europe/Balance of Power, a long period of relative peace.

I don't think a single individual accomplished more personally through sheer consistent will power, mental power, and organizational power than Napoleon, except possibly Muhammad. Hegel believed that while he lived he was virtually the center of the universe that moved all things. Every person interested in history, strategy, or human psychology should read a good bio of Napoleon. His life is so massive that he's been almost impossible to capture well in film because 2 hours is just not enough. 

 

[vcczar]

#31 - Alexander Graham Bell

Invented and demonstrated the first telephone.

Although Scottish, he did a lot of his work in both NYC and Boston. In fact, he was on the same street in Boston as my great-great grandfather, who was a famous naturalist at the time. They probably only overlapped on Pemberton Square for about a year or two. 

[vcczar]

#30 - Thomas Edison

invented the first practical incandescent light bulb and the phonograph.

I think it was his nephew who ended up being a significant New Jersey politician (also surnamed Edison), although he's obscure today. 

[vcczar]

#29 - Charles Darwin

for his contributions to the theory of evolution. He came up with the concept of natural selection, that all species come from common ancestors; Fundamentally altered natural science and how we think of human beings and Biblical history; the Darwinin concept of survival of the fittest comes from him, which has led to several sociopolitical movements or policies.

I'm surprised he isn't around #12. He really skyrocketed the secularisation of the Western world. Born the exact same day as Abraham Lincoln. My great-great grandfather and Darwin exchanged letters. In one of them, Darwin sends him a 2nd photograph and tells my great-great grandfather to destroy the first one. I'm not sure what either of the photos look like. 

[vcczar]

#28 - Martin Luther

Crucial early figure of the Protestant Reformation when he protested against the corruptions of the Catholic Church; Argued that the Bible was a greater authority than the Pope; Translated the Bible into the vernacular so that it could be accessible for those unschooled in Biblical languages; Inspired Lutheranism, a major protestant denomination, and the other Protestant movements.

He died a Catholic. The new protestant sect was founded in his name. 

[vcczar]

#27 - Socrates

One of the founders of Western Philosophy and the first "moral philosopher."; Left no writings of his own, but was a teacher and major source for Plato's philosophy; Known for the Socratic Method and Socratic Irony.

Would rank better if he had written something down. Socrates, you idiot!

[vcczar]

#26 - Johannes Kepler

Crucial figure in turning astronomy into a scientific and mathematical field, rather than a field specifically for astrology; his laws of planetary motion revealed that planets move in ellipses; laid the foundations for Newton's theory of gravity

And he looks like he invented the chopsticks in this painting.

[vcczar]

#25 - Adolf Hitler

initiated World War II and created the holocaust. WWII led to a weaker, more peaceful Europe. The holocaust led to the creation Israel. Hitler’s Nazism is often used as an example to misrepresent both nationalistic conservatives ideologies and Socialism. Indirectly led to European Union, and United Nations. Synonym for evil and authoratarian rule or tendencies.

It bothers me that he gets to go down in history as "influential." He's probably permanently ruined nationalism. Globalists reign supreme because of Hitler. With some exceptions, the world has seen more peace in reaction to him. Instruments like the UN and Geneva Conventions, etc. have done some good to prevent anything like a World War. In fact, reaction to Hitler is probably a huge reason why the Cold War was a Cold War and not a raging Hot War. I think probably a major factor for me moving away from religion is also due to Hitler. When I was in undergrad I once asked a devout Christian who was well-versed in the Bible and believed that salvation was achieved by "faith alone" a question. "Does that mean Hitler is in Heaven if he converted to Christianity right before killing himself and felt committed in this belief?" He said, "yes." I then asked, "What about all the Jewish people he murdered?" He said, "They unfortunately can't go to Heaven if they don't believe in Jesus Christ." I may have asked more questions, but at this point I knew if this is how God rewards and punishes people, then that God isn't worthy of worship. I'd imagine 95% of humans would be more just than God in this situation. 

[vcczar]

#24 - The Wright Bros.

invented the first successful airplane.

Other attempts at human flight were made by several people over the centuries, all unsuccessful. The Wright Bros managed to do what no one else could, even if the first plane could only fly for about 12 minutes.  

[vcczar]

#23 - Augustus Caesar

Rebuilt the collapsing Roman Republic into a Roman Empire; First Roman Emperor; greatly expanded Rome; initiated Pax Romana, which saw relative peace throughout the empire.

Much more successful than Julius Caesar, but he seems to get a lot less attention since his life appears to have had less drama. 

[vcczar]

#22 - Alexander the Great

Arguably the most successful military commander of all-time and king of one of the world's largest empires, which created cultural diffusion and syncretism by Hellenizing Asia Minor, North Africa, the Middle East, and sections of Central Asia; Led to the Hellenization of Judaism, which made the transition to Pauline Christianity possible.

It's crazy to think what Judaism and Christianity would be like if Hellnization had never spread. Obviously, Christianity would not have been Christianity without Hellenization. Another thing is that it's interesting to think about where Alexander would be on this list if he had not died so young. He likely would have attempted to invade India further and then move on to China. Ultimately, it seems like India would have been his Vietnam. The population was too large, their technology equivalent, and they're fighting on their home turf. Had he won, and then moved to China, he would have been wiped out by the Chinese, who were more technologically advanced at the time.  

[pilight]

Quote

He's probably permanently ruined nationalism

You say that like it's a bad thing

[vcczar]

#21 - Moses

Most important prophet in Judaism; according to Jewish tradition, he was the author of the Torah. Huge impact on other major religions, such as Christianity and Islam.

One wonders how much of Moses is fact and how much is fiction. There's really no way of telling. Also, did he write the comandments himself and then just tell people God decreed them? It's worth thinking about. 

[vcczar]

2 minutes ago, pilight said:

You say that like it's a bad thing

Yeah, bad phrasing. I strongly oppose nationalism. I'd rather have no borders than borders. I was trying to phrase it in a neutral way because this forum has some people that favor nationalism. 

[vcczar]

#20 - Mao Zedong

Founding father of the People’s Republic of China, the most populated Communist government in history. He laid the foundations for China as a world power through reform policies. His form of communism, known as Maoism, is often an example to misrepresent Socialism.

He's believed to have killed the most people in human history--more than Hiter and Stalin. My first introduction to Mao was via the NES game Super Dodge Ball. The Chinese team has the above image of Mao facing the center of the dodge ball court.  

[vcczar]

#19 - Confucius

His ideas were developed into a system known as Confucianism, which form the basis of Chinese tradition, culture and belief. He came up with the “Golden Rule” about 500 years before Jesus did. His direct influence is also in Korea and Japan. Indirectly, he influences the world, primarily because of China’s present influence.

According to the art above, Confucius was basically an old, unkempt version of Disney's cartoon Quasimodo. 

 

[vcczar]

#18 - Euclid

"Father of Geometry," a discipline he might have founded. Wrote the main textbook for mathematics that lasted for about 2,000 years before new innovations in mathematic required an update.

I would really like to know how Euclid reactions and works with Mathematics today. I assume he'd somehow how amplify it more, but then part of me wonders if there's an offchance that he shocks the world by failing a math course. 

[vcczar]

#17 - Buddha

Founder of Buddhism, one of the largest religions in the world.

There's a great difference between Buddha statues. He's either in great shape or obese as hell. Buddha is similar to Jesus in that they are heads of religion that are more popular outside of where they were born. Buddha is of India but fewer than 1% of Indians are Buddhist. Buddhism thrives in East Asia. Cambodia and Thailand are over 90% Buddhist. That regions of SE Asia is kind of the epicenter of the religion. 

[vcczar]

#16 - Muhammad

the founder of Islam, which quickly spread throughout Arabia in his lifetime. As a political leader, he created the first Islamic state, and initiated the first Arab conquests. He was also the author of the Quran. Islam is currently the second largest religion. Like with Jesus and other religious founders, many false believers have carried out atrocities in the name of Muhammad’s religion.

That Muhammad isn't in the top three seems odd. His religion is about equal with Jesus's in numbers and is growing at a faster rate. Muhammad's followers are generally more devout than Jesus's followers, who are more frequently secularized. Additionally, Muhammad had tremendous success not only as a religious founder but as a politician. He is arguably both his religion's Jesus and it's St Paul and it's Constantine. Part of me wonders if biases against Islam played a role in this relatively poor ranking for Muhammad. 

[vcczar]

#15 - Henry Ford

Developed assembly-line mass production, which allowed for cheap automobiles that the middle-class could afford; saw consumerism as the key to world peace.

On his Tombstone it says, "I beat Muhammad." Anyway, Ford is a conflicting figure. He really appears to have been a great employer during his time in many ways, but he was also tolerant of Fascism. 

[vcczar]

#14 - Adam Smith

Laid the foundation of free market economic theory with his book, Wealth of Nations; "Father of Economics" and "Father of Capitalism."

I think sort of like Karl Marx, Adam Smith is misunderstood. People like to pit them at odds against one another too, when they can co-exist together. 

[vcczar]

#13 - Guglielmo Marconi

The inventor of the radio, the first mass communication device that could spread well beyond the normal range of breath, fundementally altering politics, news reporting, entertainment, etc.

The Tickle Me Guglielmo muppet doll never really took off. 

[vcczar]

#12 - Nicolaus Copernicus

Forumulated the the sun, rather than the earth, was the center of the universe, which initiated the Scientific Revolution.

Copernicus is really just Freddie Mercury before his mustache phase. Really though, Copernicus is probably the most famous person from Poland. 

[vcczar]

#11 - Alexander Fleming

Discovered penicillin, which made many highly deadly infections into treatable infections.

Crazy to think two people from Scotland are in the top 15 of human history, both more influential than Muhammad, Buddha, and Confucius.