And today, I post a list of people whom I admired the most in 2007. These are the people who have shaped my thoughts and changed my life in 2007. These are the people who have inspired new thoughts and ideas within me. They are:
- Albert Einstein
Not too surprising, seeing that I come from a physics background before I switched to economics. I’ve read two different biographies on Einstein in 2007, and one fictional story involving Einstein. Certainly the way Einstein saw things in the world has influenced me when I was younger, and years later, he returns to inspire once again - Elanor Tan
My used-to-be wife-to-be (okay, I’m repeating this gag way too many times). I admire her for her sheer tenacity, and her ever-so-lucid manner of conveying her thoughts, be it in a chat, or in her blog. Hmm… I’m thinking of naughty things now (I’m a male, gimme a break. We think of sex every 7 seconds). Damn. - Mark Zuckerberg
The creator of Facebook, which I finally succumbed to (yes, after so many years of holding off social networking sites - thanks a lot Sebastian!). He’s been an inspiration for many ideas I had in recent months. - Sergey Brin and Larry Page
So have the creators of Google. I’ve heard and have had so many interesting ideas thanks to these three. - Emily Oster
I first read about Emily Oster in Freakonomics. I was impressed. Then I saw her talk on AIDS and poverty. Then I was really really really impressed. She changed my world view on poverty. I admire her for her sheer genius in using data to provide good results. - Justin Wolfers and Ian Aryes
They both have given me a lot of insight on using numbers. I’ve been pulled to using numbers for many reasons, and these two guys gave me more reason to use numbers in the right way. Like Emily Oster, they both have inspired many things I have done, and am going to do. What Justin Wolfers did with prediction markets is right up my alley for my next… project. - Gandhi
A surprising person on my list. We’ve all heard of the Great Soul. But 2007 was the year that I first watched Gandhi, who was played by Sir Ben Kingsley, and my first actual insight into Gandhi’s achievements. Truly an inspiration, and proof that non-violence, a cause which I have always stood for, is the way to go. Aung San Suu Kyi too is a good inspirer on non-violence (watch her talk about guns and non-violence) - Eva Vertes
Eva, oh Eva… how do I describe her? She’s my age. And an absolute genius. Ever since I saw her talk on cancer in January 2007, I’ve been impressed by her. She has changed my perception of cancer. Strangely enough, while I do not have her expertise in microbiology, I’ve on more than one occasion thought cancer to be actually a healing process of the body, rather than a malignant process. But she explains herself and her work so well, you have to credit her for originality (because my idea that cancer is actually a healing process was created out of necessity of positive thinking). And did I tell you she’s my age? If we could meet, I’d hit her up, and get her out on a date. And then steal her brains. And/or marry her. - Hans Rosling
Hans Rosling changed the way I viewed the world. I found out about Hans Rosling thanks to Elanor, who introduced to me the Gapminder (and I blogged about this too). Hans Rosling is a doctor, and through very good use of statistical data, have changed how many people viewed the world. I now know, one year later, that the very notion of Developed Countries and 3rd World Countries is very very wrong. Also, I learnt that doctors can be good sword swallowers too. He’s also very inspiring - the impossible is always possible with Hans Rosling. - My dad+My mom
They are the sole reason I am everything I am today, and everything I will be tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. They put me thru a good uni education in Australia, and I can’t say how much that has changed my life, or how profoundly. They could have bought a better house, or a better car, but instead they chose to invest in me, a human resource. I think I have the best parents in the world. They’re always supportive of what I do. If ever there was a driving force of change in me, it’s my parents.
Who are the ten people whom you admire the most? Do tell! Better yet, blog about it!
p/s: I have Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture stuck in my head… for a few days now. Help!!?
Cool?
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[...] Original post by Antworten zum Universum — 42 and software by Elliott Back [...]
Chua Soi Lek for his unmatched performance in bed. Not easy you know for a 60 years old. Also because he’s got the balls(literally) to admit it instead of denying and dragging the whole issue
You watched the Malaysian health minister’s sex DVD? You’re sick. But yes, at least he has the balls to admit it and assume responsibility.
I am the best person of 2007. Dream walked my whole year.
I notice my name’s not up there. Therefore i am angry. Rawr.
~hashie
Were you even worthy of admiration to begin with
eh whr is me?
not in the List obviously.
I don’t care about 2007.
I choose me.
I am teh awesome.
What about me? I feel underappreciated like everyone else blah blah blah.
And you keep coming to me for your vodcasts.
cfgt:
Yeh. 2008 is surely going to be interesting. At least from our side.
Liss:
Yeh, you’re awesome all right. But these people are >awesome
Aoshi:
Yeh. I appreciate your continued patronage of this site. Appreciation != admiration.
AHEM!! WHERE IS YOUR ONE AND ONLY PRECIOUS SISTER’S NAME????
Sorry dear… I forgot you existed
You forgot Oprah.
You just broke the Law of Winfrey, which states that if there’s a list, Oprah must be on it.
While I’m at that, should I add Dr. Phil too? LOL.
But thanks dear, at least you shared with me the one person you admire (but I already knew that :s)
Okay the funniest thing on earth is you forgot about your sister
Tell you next time, could it be Zen master Muahahah!
you’re so evil!! hmph! I shall ignore you !! Evil brother. no more huggles from me !
“They could have bought a better house, or a better car, but instead they chose to invest in me, a human resource…”
As much as we think that our parents are ‘investing’ in us, I highly doubt that’s the truth. Or at least, the whole truth. It’s something more than just ‘for the sake of their future’ or because ‘this degree is better that the other’ etc. etc.
Think about it, they’ve brought us up through so much pain and suffering so that we’d be a better investment than other families?
Somehow I feel that there’s more to that.
Shyuing:
What’s so funny? LOL.
yh:
Dear, no matter how much you plead, I am still not going to admire you in 2007.
Ray:
Hey. As much as I like conspiracy theories, I still think my parents are sincere in doing what they do. I mean, if I were a parent, I’d invest in my daughters. Education and health mate. Two most important factors of investments of human resources.
then admire me in 2008 okie? =)
Only if you do something to impress me and make me admire you.
* blush… *
only if my exams pprs will be as kind next week…
Dear Chewxy,
I neva knew u r a blogger…Hey, sorry bout the lil’ spat in had with ya at Ms Elanor’s blog. Take me to bed or lose me forever..Hahahahahhahaha
Ohhh yeah, truly and thousand apologies having discovere that u r a male. I am a heterosexual. Hahahahahaha.
Elanor:
Well.. good luck. The Force shall be with you.
Harrison:
LOL. No worries mate. There was no need for an apology. I was rather silly too, to engage in a barbaric act of mud flinging, so, sorry for that
I killed a headcrab zombie. Literally. That makes me uber cool and awesome. And, I have a pet rancor. That makes me uber uber cool. Finally, I have pictures of Carrie Fisher in her metal bikini airbrushed into my ceiling. Makes me a nerd, but a super cool nerd. I deserve to be in the list.
Really? Nerdy hobbies does not make you a nerd, nor a geek.
TAY ZONDAY AND CHAKLIT REIGN (sic) DAMMIT!