Last week, Time magazine announced this year’s Time 100, a list of the most influential people in the world. A handful of greenies made the list, including Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even "light greenie" John Mayer.
That list was chosen by a group of well-informed Time editors and other experts, but maybe more interesting is the magazine’s Alt Time 100.
This list probably has more names you recognize (whether you want to admit it or not), and it’s an amusing commentary on pop culture’s influence on society. Here’s the brain trust that came up with it:
Xzibit, rapper and host of MTV’s Pimp My Ride; Bridget Marquardt, 1/3 of Hugh Hefner’s girlfriend and star of E!’s Girls Next Door; Eddie Sanchez, UFC fighter; Tommy the Clown, krump dancer; Dr. Boogie, hairstylist and contestant on Bravo’s Shear Genius; Jimmy Jimmy Coco, spray tanner; and Glenda Borden, party planner.
Some of the same faces show up on both lists — the Goracle, for example:
1. Al Gore, environmentalist
Gore was everyone’s first choice. He is, they felt, the only politician who matters at all. "He got an Oscar," explained Xzibit. "That counts for something. At least he’s talking about something that matters." To the panel’s knowledge, no other politician has ever been important enough to win an Oscar.
But two other major green players made the list:
36. Toyota Prius, car
The panel did not care that, technically, the Prius is not a person.37. Bob Burnquist, skateboarder
In addition to the one-footed smith grind, he also cares about the environment. Good marketing move.
I think it’s interesting that the panel felt so strongly about putting Gore first in the list. It’s also encouraging that they fought for the Prius and that they knew about Burnquist’s green leanings.
Of course, the Alt 100 also includes Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Nicole Richie, and Sanjaya’s hair … so make of it what you will.
