Movers and Shakers
Our annual roundup of the 100 most influential people prompted comment about famous and not-so-famous sources of influence and appreciation for the diverse talents that shape our world
Thank you for including a diverse group of influential people in your TIME 100 list [May 8]. I was delighted to see the story on the South Korean pop star Rain. His fame across Asia and his upcoming English-language album show that pop culture no longer moves strictly from West to East.
JANET VO Boston
As a college student struggling to decide what to do with my future, I very much appreciated your list of the 100 most influential people. It was inspiring to see that all 100 people who influence society in so many different ways have at least one thing in common: passion. Your article reminded me that the most important thing is not what I do; I just need to love doing it.
LYDIA KIM Evanston, Ill.
It is good to know that American stars such as Angelina Jolie and George Clooney are using their fame to address serious problems. Celebrities who choose to get involved in pressing social issues can raise awareness and inspire others to take positive action. Depicting Jolie as a puffy-lipped, pregnant Virgin Mary, however, was a wee bit overboard.
JACK GORDON Sewickley, Pa.
I admire your including Bill and Melinda Gates in the list of important leaders. As a physician who has spent 50 years working in more than 20 countries, I have always dreamed that there would someday be enough money for the control of diseases in underdeveloped countries. Perhaps my dreams will come true through the generosity of that couple.
FEREYDOUN ARFAA Danville, Calif.
After reading about Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, I am getting a membership to Costco and will never again darken the doorway of Wal-Mart. It seems that Sinegal understands what many companies knew 50 years ago: if you take good care of good employees, they will serve the company, not only themselves.
PAUL HERMAN Sun City West, Ariz.
The entire issue deserves commendation, but I especially thank you for the tribute to the Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash written by NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. I have often wanted to send off a note to Nash thanking him for his positive attitude and the fine example he sets. To have had the article authored by Barkley must have been really meaningful for Nash.
(THE REV.) BILL ALBRIGHT Macungie, Pa.
Joel Stein's "Meet The Other 100" gave me a great idea: to make a list of the people who matter most to me. I wish I had started that list a long time ago. At my age, 75, not everyone on my list is alive today, which is regrettable. I never took the trouble to tell a high school teacher or a business mentor or a beloved grandfather what a significant influence each had on my life. I urge young people to make a list every 10 years and make sure you take the time to tell those people why they have had an influence on your life. All will be better for having done so.
NELSON M. FELLMAN Voorhees, N.J.
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