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People whom you really respect (or who simply kick ass)

Brian69

Brian69

Not the Messiah
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On a non-topical note, this thread looks for anyone of any background, time period or political (or non-political) stripe who has made a significant contribution to our world in some form or another. Wikipedia or other links to the subject are encouraged.

There are too many to mention but to start:

Omar Khayyám
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Khayyám
Ahead of his time is an understatement.

Carl Sagan
Brilliant and accessible. His series Cosmos is a classic.
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?do...htC6CQ&q=cosmos+part+one&hl=en&client=firefox

Also available from your local library, as is the original book.

June Callwood
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Callwood

I have to admit, growing up as a youthful semi-conservative in the 80's I found her only less obnoxious than Lois Sweet in the Life Section of The Star. But later on I learned just how important she was not only to the country but to the city of Toronto as well. I didn't agree with all of her positions but I totally respected her. She was amazing.

Roald Amundsen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Amundsen

Even when I was a kid I thought this guy was adventure personified.

Miles Davis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_davis

The personification of "kick-ass."

Tiananmen Man
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Rebel

It's not just about the democracy protests (though that is significant), it's not just about the absolute photogenic quality of this single snapshot in the modern history of the world. The man is doing this ultimate act of righteous indignation one day after the violent crackdown--he was royally pissed and not even the mighty People's Liberation Army could surpress it.

I want to learn about more great people out there, from all over the world. Bring 'em on.
 
Good choices!

Concerning Tiananmen Man, I'm convinced that his act and the resulting images will be referenced far into the future.
 
Miles Davis is an interesting choice and highlights that we should pick people based on their artistic merit rather than their personal lives. We all know Miles Davis as the coolest man alive, even though, in reality, he was a wife-beating drunk and an uptight wad. Hey, I have a guy like that too. I love Peter Sellers movies and I think his style of humour was perfectly in synch with my own (in fact, it largely formed it) but there is no question that he was a horrendous asshole and an abusive man to the women who loved him.
 
Interesting about Peter Sellers. He was a troubled man and abusive, I knew that, but also one of my favourite actors and comedians.

Pierre Trudeau is someone I really hold a lot of regard for. Kicked ass and was an arrogant SOB. Did it not for the money, and I think cared about the country and the people.

Can I nominate John Fetterman? He really kicks ass.
 
Miles Davis

Yes, I figured he'd be a somewhat controversial choice (and I'm also a big fan of the less than pleasant Sellers as well) but I think just choosing people based upon their agreeability (or non-controversial life) would limit things greatly. I think one can choose people with disagreeable personal lives if they've made a significant contribution to the world; at the same time it's important to make a distinction between the talent and the person.
 
Brian69 said:
Darwin's Bulldog is a great choice indeed.
Click to expand...

I have always found it to be a shame the "Darwin's Bulldog" moniker has been so strongly attached to Huxley's name. IMO his defence of Darwinism was the least of his accomplishments.

If it was up to me, the study of Huxley's work would be an imperative for all high school students.
 
johnnycash.jpg


Let's put it this way: the man is dead and yet can *still* kick your ass.
 
Glen said:
I have always found it to be a shame the "Darwin's Bulldog" moniker has been so strongly attached to Huxley's name. IMO his defence of Darwinism was the least of his accomplishments.

If it was up to me, the study of Huxley's work would be an imperative for all high school students.
Click to expand...

Defending Darwinian evolution did take up a significant portion of his life and happened at a time Darwin himself was doing less of it. However, it's true that it does tend to overshadow some of his other accomplishments as a great rationalist, educator and biologist. I definitely agree selections of his work should be required reading in high school.



And The Man in Black is definitely up there as far as ass-kicking goes...
 
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