Let's chat about Atlantic's list of The Top 100 most influential figures in American history.

It seems like this list is skewed in the same way that VH-1 countdown specials are. It's a snapshot of what would a) placate the greatest number of history snobs that care about such things, b) reflect current status of who is/isn't in favor c) get people to buy the magazine.

People who really need to be on the list:
-Bob Dylan
-William Mullholland
-Ken Kesey
-Carl Sagan
-Jimmy Hoffa
-JFK

definitely, for at least some of the choiecs, but looking at it again, it is pretty on the money in other areas. where it seems to break down is in the last 60 years or so, ie in the lifetimes of those who put it together. it's like a serious list with an overlay of boomer navelgazing. a mashup of stars and stripes forever, appalachian spring (ahem) and we didn't start the fire.

also, bill gates as a stand in for all tech dudes is pretty lame.

frederick douglass ought to be at least ten spaces higher.

OTM.

This may sadly be true, tho.

Well, it depends on who's defining influential, no?

The accompanying article more or less ends on this point. but i think they put the date at 2050.....

Paul Revere should be #1 on this list, and Paul Revere and the Raiders should be #1 on the music list, and then RL Stevenson who wrote "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" should top the authors list. Let's revere him!