Contemplating the Time 100 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Contemplating the Time 100

“One way or another they each embody a breakthrough: they broke the rules, broke the record, broke the silence, broke the boundaries to reveal what we’re capable of.”

39
Contemplating the Time 100
Time

The first time I saw this year’s issue of "Time: the 100 Most Influential People" was when my friend dropped the issue on the breakfast table, and Leonardo DiCaprio was glaring up at me over my coffee.

“What are you doing with your life? We have a planet to save. Get it together” his glare seemed to say. I had not had enough coffee for that kind of glare, Leo.

But my friends and I leafed through the pages, scanning the list to see who we knew. The collection of people is fascinating: split between the categories of Pioneers, Titans, Artists, Leaders, and Icons, it is quite an eclectic group. The juxtapositions were fascinating, and it was in these juxtapositions that I started to get confused. Lin- Manuel Miranda honored alongside Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen? Ibtihaj Muhammad, soon to be the first American Olympian hijabi, next to Felix Kjellberg, a.k.a. Youtube gamer PewDiePie? All compelling people in their own right, but how did they come to be on this list? How did "Time" decide who is the most “influential”?

"Time" Editor Nancy Gibbs said “One way or another they each embody a breakthrough: they broke the rules, broke the record, broke the silence, broke the boundaries to reveal what we’re capable of.” For many of the people on the "Time 100 " list, this makes sense: Ibtihaj Muhammad is breaking boundaries between people as she shows the world what America looks like; Nicki Minaj is breaking the rules as she demands respect and admiration; Nadia Murad is breaking the silence as she speaks out “on the genocide being inflicted on her Yezidi people and demanding release for the more than 3,000 women still held in bondage.”

These people, like most of those on the list, possess, as Gibbs said, “the power to provoke.” They are provoking conversation, change, and yes, even some uncalled-for outrage, as they do what it is they do best. They are influential because they are inspiring future generations, opening doors and breaking down walls, and trying to change the world into a safer, more respectful, peaceful place.

However, there are people among the "Time 100" who are influential for an entirely different reason: people such as Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un. These people are also influencing and inspiring the future, but I hope (and the optimist in me believes) that they are inspiring future generations to never be like them, to never repeat their mistakes, to never be as hateful and as intolerant as them.

There’s a lot to learn from the "Time 100," whether it’s learning to speak up and act like them, or learning to never emulate their malevolence.

The link to Time 100, where all the quotes in this article were taken from, can be found here.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1937
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16649
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3540
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments