20 Most Important People of the 21st Century

The 21^st century is only 20 years old, but (in a complete repudiation of my last post’s caution) here are some predictions of folks who might make the list of most important people of the 21^st century.

And, as before, although I hope this would be obvious, inclusion on the list doesn't mean you're a good person – bin Laden was a key player of the early 21^st century, but we all recognize that sometimes the most important people are also the vilest.

Finally, the entrants are divided into five categories, and then arranged (roughly) chronologically by the dates of their main accomplishments.

Politicians and Activists

 

Osama bin Laden (Saudi Arabia): Mastermind of the 9/11 attack that diverted America and the world’s attention to fighting terrorism, particularly in the Middle East. 

Angela Merkel (Germany): Led the fledgling European Union through many of its stormiest crises.

Xi Jinping (China): Massively increased China’s economic dominance, and held more power than any other leader in 40 years, even rewriting parts of the constitution.

Donald Trump (USA): Derailed America both at home and abroad in a culmination of far-right policies imitated by strongmen around the globe.

 

Scientists and Inventors

 

Elon Musk (South Africa, Canada, USA): Designer in charge of SpaceX, Tesla, and other scientific ventures.

Klaus Lackner (USA): Scientist exemplifying all those who are working on carbon capture technology, to reverse climate change.

“Satoshi Nakamoto” (Japan?): Unknown identity who implemented the previously theoretical blockchain technology and launched bitcoin.

Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier (USA&France): Geneticists who unlocked the enormous power of CRISPR-CAS9 gene editing.

 

Magnates and Businesspeople

 

Jeff Bezos (USA): Leader of Amazon which in the early decades of the century boomed into one of the world’s largest and most influential corporations.

Steve Jobs (USA): Revamped Apple’s image with the iPod, followed by the first widespread touchscreen smartphone.

Takeshi Uchiyamada (Japan): Leader of Toyota as they became Japan’s largest company, and developer of the Prius.

Mark Zuckerberg (USA): Head of Facebook who made social media the center of many people’s lives.

 

Intellectuals and Influencers

 

Jimmy Wales (USA): Inventor of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.

Michael Pollan (USA): Author who investigates the relationship developed countries have with overly processed food and food culture for the future.

Thomas Piketty (France): Economist who provides the data behind concepts like income inequality, “the 1%”, and the “wealth tax”.

Ta-Nehisi Coates (USA): A leading voice on black identity and the continuing realities of systemic racism in America.

 

Artists and Icons

 

Ai Weiwei (China – exiled): Multidisciplinary sculptor, architect, painter, and filmmaker known for bold commentary with his pieces.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche (Nigeria): Representative of a new wave of globally-read African literature maturing beyond older postcolonial meditations.

Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan): Icon of women’s rights and especially girls’ education rights in oppressive countries.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (USA): Musician and author who wrote and performed Hamilton, creating a phenomenally popular impact on American theater, music, and culture.