GREATNESS?!?

That dude was pretty damn great.

I must admit I have never heard of him. Wiki here I come!

probably a bunch of people that dont deserve it....i.e. celebritys like vin diesel, paris hilton, lohan, ritchie, etc...when really it should be artists. the people who make things like music or go into mags like juxtapoz. in this newer world where all we do is depend on tv we wont know anything else so thats what will get remembered.

sorry...im not trying to preach.

Bill Hicks was great , for way too short of a time .

While I agree that celebrities will make the list, I don't agree with any that you listed. If you look back through the history of motion pictures, only the greats are remembered. Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn. Lindsey Lohan just doesn't measure up, even by today's standards.

As for people I think will be remembered in history: Nelson Mandela, John Lennon, and Bill Clinton.

Bill Hicks was funny but I don't think he qualifies for world impacting greatness.

i understand what you are saying but there are so many people that know the theme to McDonalds before they know the National Anthem...there isnt anything we can do about it as civilians. people will like who they like.

you totally missed my point. america knows hilton better than any of the (amazingly great) people you mentioned.

Michael Jordan.

He was as good at what he did as anyone I've ever seen in any field.

oh, I bet people remember tiger woods for a while.

No, I understood, I'm saying those people are flashes in the pan. You won't even remember them in twenty years. Or you'll look back on them the same way we do on New Kids On The Block and Kris Kross.

This thread is somewhat depressing. Our generation's definition of "greatness" is a lot different than the generations before us. First half of the 20th century? Teddy Roosevelt, Churchill, FDR, Oppenheimer, Einstein, Chaplin, Robert Johnson, etc. Second half and beyond? A bunch of overstuffed athletes, vapid celebrities and shitty musicians.

Although, on the other hand, I suppose that sixty or so years ago people were saying the same thing about Teddy Roosevelt, Churchill, FDR, Oppenheimer, Einstein, Chaplin, Robert Johnson, etc. So who knows, really. That said, who do I think is great? Fuck, I dunno. Nikola Tesla and Stephen Hawking are pretty damn cool.

Good call!
I agree with Nelson Mandela as well.
Warren Buffet will prolly be in the group although he was always a capatalist before a philanthropist.
Oh Walter Cronkite will make the list although only when people are reminded.

These people below, they aren't trying to do anything at all.

http://www.one.org/

There is this guy who is involved with those people who gets a whole lot of press and tries really hard, but nah he can't be great, he is a "rockstar"

If your definition of great is related to philanthropy then you've gotta include Gates.

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-24-2003-45827.asp

Self-interest or not. His foundation gives up the $$$.

i say stephen hawking, darwin, anyone associated with god, and charels fort...the celebs i named will only be remembered for a little while but the others will last.

right proves conquest.

Dr. Thaddeus Venture

the results of the actions of the great social, political, and scientific minds of our day will take decades to become apparent, maybe longer to be recognized. I'm sure that if you asked the people of any time in history the same question, their lists would look exactly the same as ours: one hit for a hundred misses, and no way to tell the difference.

the success of celebrities and sports figures is instantly evident, however. but have faith that only the ones so great that they actually change things will be remembered 75 or 100 years from now.

How about Bill Clinton? I mean, JFK is considered "great" in spite of the fact that he was a womanizer while in the White House. I wonder if Clinton (who's pretty darn popular around the world, as well as in the states) will be more remembered for his likablity and communication skills as opposed to his overblown indiscretions.

he's popular, but what did he change? he'll only be remembered if his actions have long-term ramifications. if he'd managed to revamp the health care system, he'd be in for sure.