I'm just throwing this out there, don't know if something like it exists already here at rm. I just thought it would be cool if there was like a poll, or someone compiled a list of the people that rm'ers consider have influenced them the most, whether it's artists, writers, thinkers, politicians, philosophers, religious leaders/figures, whatever. this is mainly from the point of view of people who have helped shape your world view, and ideally it would be famous people, or people that others can find out about. even though parents/family members/friends/teachers usually weigh in heavily as well, maybe their mention would only work if it was a general category.

I know lists have been done before on other forums (rm's 100 albums, songs, etc). I don't volunteer myself to put it together because my internet time is not that constant or committed to rm, but i thought i'd mention it at least.

off the top of my head, 4 that would make my list. this doesn't mean that i live the gospel according to them. more likely, i've come upon particular pieces of work by them that have significantly influenced the way i see the world, or certain parts of it at least.

richard dawkins
george orwell
bill hicks
john lennon

only 1

given2trade
lennytheweedwacker
glorified_version
PaperNapkinNotes

what is this, gd?

sorry..No one has really influenced me, but 2 things have:

goatcheese,
mortadella

easily my parents

my father for a work ethic and showing you can be kind to people no matter what

my mother for patience and unconditional love even when you fuck the pooch royally

This falls into 2 groups; people you'd know and those you wouldn't. For this, who cares about the ones you wouldn't know.

Positive influences;
- who ever perfected birth control, thank you thank you thank you.
- who ever invented the chairlift and gondola, coming down the moutain is so much funner if I haven't had to drag my ass up it.
- Jimmy Page and Pete Townsend.
- Lem Motlow and all who brew Jack Daniels.

Negative influences;
- politicians and most news agencies, selling fear and worry is fucked up.
- people who don't believe in and support the chasing of dreams, fuck you.

parents
coaches
some teachers, though i'd say less than the above two
other family


albert camus
eddie vedder/pearl jam (the reason i got interested in politics, even if i diverge from them in many ways nowadays)
the bible (and being raised catholic in general)

This is an important point to make. In no way do I agree with these people all the time, or in all ways. Here are three I can think of:

Kurt Vonnegut-comedically, way of looking at the world, writing style.
Howard Zinn-although I've grown away from him politically since I first discovered him, his influence is still an important part of my way of looking at political and ethical problems.
Werner Herzog-esp. in his documentaries and interviews, raised important questions about what the point of films and filmmaking is, which have affected how I watch/make movies.

Maynard James Keenan
Thom Yorke
Trent Reznor
Bono

This is gonna sound weird, but one of them is Gary Larson. His simple drawings taught me to see our world for the beautiful absurdity it is and his legacy will bring me joy for my whole life.

My Grandmother - she raised 5 kids on her own, and never ever once put herself before others.

Jim Henson

i completely agree on this one. i can look at anything, good or bad, and see something completely and utterly absurd

.

WHo ever perfected birth control?? what an idiotic thing to say in my opinion. If ur trying to control the onset of a human life - try controlling you whats in your pants

safe to say his cock never influenced him

my parents and their friends, my grandfather, my own friends, some teachers, writers, musicians, actresses, painters, architects and other creative people, basically.
Negative: smallminded people, especially if they are more or less related to loved ones, like the ex-wife of my stepfather and her daughters, my former stepmother, ex-manager, and many people in my country. I really have to try and only focus on the good people, because they are there, but less.

groetjes,
Mirella

Thoreau
Robert Pirsig
Daniel Quinn
William James
My Dad
I haven't made my mind up yet, but Ken Wilber might be on this list soon.

Albert Einstein
Gene Roddenberry
Paul Dirac


George W Bush


My grandfather is #1, though.