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Austin R

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TEDCRED 20+

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Who has been the single-most influential person in the history of humanity? Why?

Voice your opinion!

I'm extra curious to hear the reason behind your choice, please be sure to give a brief reason why!

Topics: best history humanity influential opinion people single-most
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  • Ed Schulte 50+

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    Oct 22 2011: not a "who" but

    rather a what.

    As in the "What" humans such as Buddha , Krishna, Jesus, Mohammed, Gandi etc displayed by there presence here. It is called many names so "Higher Consciousness" will do here. It is not a personal possession but rather the inner potential of all HUmanity.

  • Bob Shingles 10+

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    Oct 22 2011: For modern history, I would nominate Adolf Hitler as a single-most influential person.

    He showed us how powerful hate, symbolism and propaganda could be in uniting a people for any misguided cause.

    He will be an ever lasting example of the evil that lurks in the hearts of man and the diligence towards peace society must maintain to prevent hatred and death from consuming us.
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    Orlando Hawkins 20+

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    Oct 21 2011: Its hard to say being that there have been so many people who has had an influence on the world. I really can't narrow it down to one being that anyone we pick was indeed influenced by their contemporaries and those before them.

    I do find it funny that Jesus was mentioned. In that case I would have to say Dionysus
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    Lilya Obmorsheva

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    Oct 21 2011: as a believer i vote for Jesus
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    John Locke

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    Oct 21 2011: "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."
    -Henry E. Adams

    No one person can change the world aloine, it is up to everyone else to embrace new ideas and follow what they believe in.
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    Thomas Jones 100+

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    Oct 21 2011: Confucius + His Followers

    Lao Tzu + His Followers

    Buddha + His Followers

    Socrates, Plato, Aristotle + their followers ("Critical" thinking)

    Christ + Saul of Tarsus (the apostle Paul) + "Church Fathers" (Christ on his own would have vanished into history.)

    Muhammad + Khadijah + Abu Talib + ... (Muhammad on his own would have vanished into history.)

    Ibn al-Haytham (965–1039) and Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) ("Scientific Method")

    Bi Sheng (990–1051) and Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1398 - 1468) (Moveable type printing.)

    Adam Smith (1723–1790) (Modern economics.)

    George Owen (The "modern" factory)

    Darwin (The theory of evolution.)

    Henry Ford (The production line - although he did not invent it.)

    Edison (light ... plus....)

    Frederick Winslow Taylor ("Invented" Scientific Management which is now ubiquitous, yet "invisible.")

    Gandhi (May have had the greatest influence, in his lifetime, of any living person.)

    Mao Zedong (May have had the greatest influence, in his lifetime, of any living person.)

    Edward de Bono ("Creative" thinking.)
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    Christophe Cop 500+

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    TED AttendeeTEDx OrganizerAssociate
    Oct 21 2011: Charles Darwin

    Although the impact of his "dangerous idea" is not even spread completely, it is the best example of a good theory that can overthrow wrong ideas about reality.
    And as for all his other contributions, read "The voyage of the Beagle". It is a masterpiece of wonder and discovery. Of a universal curious mind that found some great explanations of some of world's phenomena...

    Though there are a myriad of runner-ups...

  • Zdenek Smith 100+

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    HostAssociate
    Oct 20 2011: After thinking hard I believe there is no single person that had the biggest impact on human history. In general I think many scientists, educators and peace promoting indiiduals would deserve such recognition. Perhaps individuals given Nobel price can be considered with most impact on our history and societies?
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    lynn eschbach 30+

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    Oct 20 2011: Hitler . . . for teaching us to be on guard still for heinous leaders.
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    Gerald O'brian 50+

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    Oct 20 2011: Louis Pasteur, for mutliplying by two our life expenctancy.
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    Jacob Miller 10+

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    Oct 20 2011: Jesus Christ- Here is why...Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
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    Steven Dilloway

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    Oct 20 2011: Jesus Christ.

    self explanatory.
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      Amily shaw 10+

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      TED Translator
      Oct 20 2011: thats what on my mind too ! I think his Incarnation is an ultimate example of humanity,just awesome!
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