Time magazine just released its annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people (with Beyonce on the cover).  The list is not ranked, but the most influential people are those who appear on the list year after year, as opposed to the one year wonders.  The list began in 1999 when Time named the 100 people who most influenced the 20th century, and then beginning in 2004, Time began publishing an annual ranking of those who continue to change the world.  Unfortunately no people from the horror industry have been consistently recognized, but that makes sense since slasher films no longer dominate the culture like they did circa 1980.  On the other hand one of the hottest shows on TV is The Walking Dead.

However just because there is no one from the horror industry, does not mean there are no people who have done horrific things to achieve their great power.  Pumpkin Person believes that psychopathy (evil) especially when combined with high intelligence is sadly, an incredible competitive advantage in our cut-throat society. However many of these people achieved their success through incredible talent, luck and good old fashion hard-work, and they should not be smeared by the psychopaths who may walk secretly among them.

THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON ON THE PLANET:

It’s a tie between Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama.  Both have been recognized by the Time 100 list an astonishing NINE TIMES.

THE THIRD MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON ON THE PLANET:

Hillary Clinton.  The Time 100 list has recognized her influence eight times.

THE FOURTH MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON ON THE PLANET:

Angela Merkel.  Recognized six times.

THE FIFTH MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON ON THE PLANET:

This slot would go to Steve Jobs but sadly he has passed away, so it’s a tie between Aung San Suu Kyi, George W, Bush, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Hu Jintao, Condoleeza Rice, and Jamie Dimon, all of whom have been recognized four times,

THE 12TH TO 16TH MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE ON THE PLANET:

Rounding out the list are Tenzin Gyatso, Rupert Murdoch, Larry Page, Mark Zuckerberg, and Pope Benedict XVI who all have been recognized three times.  Nelson Mandela has also been recognized by the Time 100 list three times, but sadly he has passed away, and thus can no longer be considered one of the most influential people on the planet.

It is interesting to ask who the most influential person of all time was.  According to a controversial book called THE 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential persons in History by Michael H. Hart,  the most influential human of all time was the Prophet Muhammad, followed by Isaac Newton and Jesus Christ.