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Constantine, the first Christian emperor. This was the first time Christianity was recognized by the state; much of A.D. history (but not necessarily most) revo

Constantine, the first Christian emperor. This was the first time Christianity was recognized by the state; much of A.D. history (but not necessarily most) revolves around the interplay between church and state, most namely the institutionalized Catholic church and protestants. Similarly, it follows that Martin Luther (not King), one of the vocal leaders of the protestant reformation, was influential with his 95 theses. Jesus Christ (and the story of the man) obviously has made one of the most global and lasting impacts on culture and humanity. I'd agree that Pauline literature largely shapes the perception of Christ and Christianity, so Paul is an important figure. The Beatles - Shifted culture significantly, not just in the US but around the world. Certainly Dennis Ritchie. Vannevar Bush, who first conceptualized hypertext via the Memex in the mid-20th century. Tim Berners-Lee. I lightly tread and say Mark Zuckerberg, but really I mean the brainpower behind Facebook. Regardless of staying power, to have a massive enough sum of people to start saying things like "1 in 13 people on earth", it certainly is one of the most far reaching and adopted efforts in history. Albert Einstein - the theory of relativity shapes the way a lot of modern physics are approached. Adolf Hitler.

hcho 13y ago
Not to upset any fans, but how did The Beatles shift the culture? I have the impression that culture was shifting by itself and The Beatles only lucked into being at right place at the right time.
- jcutrell 13y ago
  Fair comment. I suppose I mean that The Beatles were a large catalyst in shifting culture, in that they mark the beginning of rock and roll and TV-casted, stadium-oriented performance and stardom. More importantly, this was a new wave in massively widespread pop culture that perhaps would have been weaker or absent without them. Let me be clear - I'm not saying they invented or caused the shift. (Which I suppose I said before.) I'm saying they were incredibly influential to pop culture, to a massive degree. (This isn't fanboy talk, so I won't be upset on this thread whatsoever.)

hcho 13y ago

Not to upset any fans, but how did The Beatles shift the culture? I have the impression that culture was shifting by itself and The Beatles only lucked into being at right place at the right time.

jcutrell 13y ago
Fair comment. I suppose I mean that The Beatles were a large catalyst in shifting culture, in that they mark the beginning of rock and roll and TV-casted, stadium-oriented performance and stardom. More importantly, this was a new wave in massively widespread pop culture that perhaps would have been weaker or absent without them. Let me be clear - I'm not saying they invented or caused the shift. (Which I suppose I said before.) I'm saying they were incredibly influential to pop culture, to a massive degree. (This isn't fanboy talk, so I won't be upset on this thread whatsoever.)