The most popular person since jesus

[aussie]

I recently became embroiled in adebate (a street fight actually) on another forum that basicly centered its self around "Who was the most popular person since Jesus Christ" So taking into account pop stars, movie stars, sportsmen, religeous figures etc. Who is your choice and why?

Now this debate ran six pages on the other forum in a couple of days. I know you guys cant do that but some where out there one of you must have an opinion. A strong opinion I hope

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[Anton]

I'd have to say its one of the following:

a) Princess Di
b) John Lennon
c) Elvis Presley

Not that they are the most deserving of such popularity but they have utilesed the massive reach of mass media to gain it. It has to be someone circa 20th Century because before the media was not as wide reaching. Before culture and with it celebrity was usually confined to one country but now if it's big in America it's big in Japan and will be big in Europe (when it finally gets here, 3 years after it died out in America)

[Diva]

Princess Di would have to be my first choice. The world stopped when she died. I remember when I learned of her death I cried as if I had lost an old friend.

What made her so popular? Her frailties, for one. She was in no way perfect. She was human. Someone you could sit down and share embarassing stories with, knowing she'd match you tale for tale.

Her strength was what brought both awe and respect. She did things on her terms. She raised her two sons as she saw fit and ignored the Queen's demands. Despite the constant, endless intrusions by the paparazzi, she never waivered from her charities. Whether it was walking in a mine field to show the world the plight of ignored victims or sell clothing and give the money for charities.

I've seen so many beautiful photographs of her, from a princess to a woman. But the one I found that no beauty could measure was of her as "mom".

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[Jake]

I agree with you guys on Princess Di. One woman had the queen and her cronies running for cover. When she died, I almost thought it was the end for that royal family. Right there and then.

She was magnificant. Her grace and strength under fire. She raised some fine boys and carried on where other women quietly stepped aside and let power rule them.

We lost a light in the darkness when she died. Someone we hoped would find that happily ever after. Maybe so we believe that dreams do come true, because it did with Princess Di.

[eyespy3017]

Well, I must say that is an intriguing question to pose. I definently agree it would have to be someone from the 20th century but I do not think that this person needs to be a good natured person, in terms of how "popular"The first person that comes to my mind would be Hitler, no joke, everybody knows who he is, correct? Very popular, but he was a psychopath! (and a pickle smoocher, too!)( saw it on the History Channel) And of course more recently, anybody, anybody??? good ole bin laden, yes, I hate to say it, but true. Think about it. On a different type of popularity, JFK, Elvis, would definently fit the bill. Again, I hate to type it, but I still have to go w/ bin laden. Maybe because it is still semi-fresh( like lumpy milk) in my head.

[eyespy3017]

Remember, just because you are popular does not mean that you are well liked..............

[eyespy3017]

I would not rate Mother Teresa as being "popular"( Isn't she dead yet?) Yes a lot of people have heard of her, but she does not get the publicity. In regards to Osama he has both popularity and notoriety, and I would almost have to throw Clinton in to the popular category, just because of a few stains. Think about it, what sells?.. sex, sex scandals, all the details of sex and death. 99.9999 % of the world can relate to death and sex. How many people would remember on a consistent basis that John Q. public was a Missionary in South America who saved 14 tribes from famine and disease, found a cure for a very rare disease, and taught them how to play basketball? I do not know if my point is getting across correctly but hey...what do I know..

[Diva]

I understand both Aussie's point and Eyespy's. If we were to split the question into two categories: Most popular and Most Notorious as Aussie suggested then I would have to concede that Bin Laden is right up there with Hitler on the notorious list. Princess Di still reigns the popular vote.

But what about Clinton? He is either loved or hated, but known by almost all. Stalin is another. Aussie once said that he dragged his country into the 20th century. He too was both hated and loved. What category would you fit these two figures into?

[eyespy3017]

I started typing this :


Jimmy Hoffa was a notorius Union Gangsta' BUT, he had hundreds of Thousands of followers, he was hated and loved at the same time. John Lennon was known by hundreds of thosands of people and loved beyond words, but he was a prick in real life.

Then i said to myself "what are you doing, your point that you are trying to make is that you can be popular and notorius at the same time, stop typing you idiot!!"

[ozblonde]

If you are popular then you are well liked and well known. Mother Teresa and Princess Di went even further than that they were well known and well LOVED. That set them apart from most of the others.
If you are well known and feared and hated or widly disliked wouldnt that be notoriety? Having hundreds of thousands of followers dosnt nessesarily mean they are loved people like bin laden and Hitler were feared by their people. How many Sadam Husseins would be around if their people were not afraid?

[Bane]

Umm.. Im not real sure where eyespy is going with this but I don't think that popular is quite what you think it is. Popular actually Does mean well liked as best I know.

I'm not real sure about including Bin Laden in on any list of popularity, he is a leader of an organization that for the most part is only together to serve a purpose, not because of any huge dedication to Bin Laden. I'm also not too sure about adding Mao or Hitler to the list either, but I will think more on that before trying to argue either way.

As far as popularity I would like to challenge you to find someone (anyone) on the planet who hasn't heard of Michael Jordan. :p Yes I'm exaggerating a bit, but I'm just putting his name in the bin here.