By: Caitlin Bloodworth

The talk about global warming has been a growing concern throughout the world in this decade, yet Al Gore has been an advocate for global concern since he served in the U.S. House of Representatives in the mid-1970’s. While working up the government ladder, he eventually ended up as Vice President under President Bill Clinton in 1992.  His work on bringing concern to global warming has gained him praise in the environmental community. In 2006, Gore created a documentary called An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It, which won an Academy Award for a documentary feature, which eventually won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for bringing “greater knowledge about man-made climate change” and introducing ways to make a change. He has also created a media company called “Current TV,” which gives viewers the chance to report on events and stories they think are important.

There is no way that any person who is connected to technology could live without Google, the ingenious and biggest search engine site since 1998. The two geniuses of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, were college buddies and ironically launched Google from their garage. Today, they are swimming in, not only millions, but billions of dollars, but are keeping themselves leveled by renting two bedroom apartments and driving “green” Toyota Priuses. When launched more than 10 years ago, only about 10,000 people would visit daily, which is quite small compared to the 200 million per day. Larry Page was recently quoted as saying, "We have a mantra: 'Don't be evil', which is to do the best things we know how for our users, for our customers, for everyone. So I think if we were known for that, it would be a wonderful thing." This shows that these guys not only have their heads on straight but also want the best for everyone around them.

As a whole, Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion make up the influential international band, Coldplay. While still selling out venues and selling millions of records, they have a huge impact on music today, even being compared to U2. Regardless of their popularity, they still try to keep their music pure and significant by not having their songs endorse other products. They claim that if they “sell out” then the songs in turn lose their meaning. Sources also claim that they give 10% of all their profit to charities. Also, starting this year, Coldplay began supporting Meat Free Monday, started by Paul McCartney, which is a food campaign to help slow the climate change by having at least one meat free day a week. Like that of other great musicians, Coldplay’s influence on music will forever leave an imprint.

When anyone mentions a “tweet,” it will either make someone full of excitement or full of annoyance. Either way anyone puts it, Twitter is one of many social systems that have excited the whole nation into knowing what any person is up to at any given time, almost like an instant message to any of your closest friends and family. The people responsible for this epidemic are Biz Stone and Evan Williams, who are said to have mentioned that this creation is more of a connection to every person in the world, no matter how far.

Seen on daytime television since 1986, Oprah has been the most successful woman in daytime talk shows. She has always pushed the boundaries with her interviews in a way that is calming to all of her viewers, talking about issues that people would not normally talk about. Her influence has given people hope and realization in their lives. In her giving nature, Oprah gave a whole audience new cars in one memorable episode. Her generosity spreads throughout the world, from starting the Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa in 2007 to “Oprah’s Angel Network” that helps out families in the U.S. and around the world. Although she has just announced her departure from her show, her influence will always pave the way for future thinkers and women everywhere.

Although he is mostly known for most of the failed attempts as President, he was the President during one of our most trying times; September 11, 2001. He was just elected into office and possibly as much as in shock as the rest of us. Instead of throwing the nation into a state of panic, his courage gave everyone a sense of brotherly love during a time when we thought the world would crumble around us. Bush’s influence has also somewhat defined what kind of president we may or may not need and one that, in the future, would shape this country.

There is rarely a person on the street, whose mind, when someone mentions “Twilight,” doesn’t think of the multi-million dollar books and blockbusters. The one person behind the idea of Twilight is Stephenie Meyer, who is said to get her influences from various popular music groups today. This book series is surprising coming from a Mormon housewife, known for her strict morals.  They center on a young teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire. Her books have brought back the true romanticism, unlikely in times like these where violence and various acts control a young person’s way of thinking. I think it’s safe to say that “Twilight” has defined a new generation of writers and admirers into creating a more imaginative world for themselves and others.

Like Google, Apple has totally defined a new generation of technology and products alike. Many people today own an Apple product, whether it’s an Apple computer or the ever so nifty iPhone or iTouch. The CEO of these products and influential company is Steve Jobs. He and his team’s creations are sure to influence future technologies and revolutionary ideas.

Defying all odds, President Barack Obama became the first African-American President in United States history. After almost 200 years of segregation, it seemed as though it would take a very long time until something like this happened. His leadership and his charisma brought hope into the American people, who were eager for a change and a new beginning.

When anyone tries to define a social network, their thoughts mostly go to Facebook. Finding former classmates and distant family members on the internet, a once menial task, now requires only the swoop of the keyboard. The innovative creator and co-owner, Mark Zuckerburg, has the innovative spirit that doesn’t come around often. Coming from Harvard, he and his buddies launched Facebook from their dorm room, never expecting what they had just created would be one of the most popular social networking sites in the world. Today, Facebook has an estimated 350 million users who are more connected than ever.