http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/greatestamerican/greatestamerican.html


"Whos done the most to change the way you think and the way you live"

its harder to come up w/ 5 then I thought O_O


James Douglas Morrison.
The god of rock and cock
Jim was all about opening the doors of perception in yer mind. ^_^; He wasn't just a trippin fool. His lyrics and poetry are art that makes ya go hmmm. He was a monster on stage, the first rock star in American history to be arrested in mid performance. The Doors was bumped from Woodstock due to the Miami controversy. Jim expressed his discontent with the political system and the war in 'Nam (his father was USN. Jim was a military brat) with music and videos. In the video for The Unknown Soldier Jim is tied to a stake and shot by a fireing squad and there are graphic scenes showing wounded men. It was such unheard of shit that the hippies went crazy and it brought the 5-0 down on him hard. His life and the works he has left behind have inspired me in so many ways; creatively, politically, socially... you get it .

Jim was definately revolution material. I guess the best American could land up being a politician or philanthropist ^_^

George Lucas anybody ? I'm not entirely sure if he's American or not.

FDR is the greatest american ever.

Who's FDR ? ^_^ Reagan ?

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Not Washington for this race ?

Washington was our 1st president. Altho he was an important figure, as far as things he did while in office, he isn't really known for anything great besides being the first president.

FDR saved our nation from the great depression, and got us through world war II. If it wasn't for him, who knows what would have happend. and If it wasn't for him winning an unprecidented 4 terms to office, we wouldn't have a admendment for a 2 term limit. Who knows how long we would have had to put up with Bill Clinton.

Pretty interesting. But, it'd be bad if you had to put up with Bush Sr. too ^_^ (guessing).

thomas edison. come'on, where would we be without the lightbulb? :nod:

Pretty interesting. But, it'd be bad if you had to put up with Bush Sr. too ^_^ (guessing).

Bush Sr. was a very good president, He would have defeated Clinton if it wasnt for Ross Pero who ran one of the most successful 3rd party campaigns since the Republicans and Democrats became the dominant parties. Sadly his no new taxes promise that he didnt keep is what was his undoing. While in essence if it wasnt for him, Those taxes lead the way for the balanced budget that happend under Clintons terms. If it wasnt for those, that may have never happend. That is what I admire about Bush Sr. He did what was right, even though it cost him another term, because he couldnt keep his promise.

Britney Spears, I mean, how much has she affected us all? :p Jay kay, jay kay

I agree with dx. FDR was a great president. My grandma always talked about how he was such a good father figure, always trying to help people during WWII. Either him or Ronald Reagan.

thomas edison. come'on, where would we be without the lightbulb? :nod:

like it couldnt have been invented later :pppp j/k

i'm thinking wright brothers. invention of airplane is most turning point in all of history. men always wanted to fly. they've achieved something no one thought it was even possible. it changed the way we fight war, traveling etc. it's amazing how we advanced so far after that in such a short time like sending men to moon.

Reagan did act in a few movies, right ^_^ ?

yup in his younger years :p

like it couldnt have been invented later :pppp j/k

Tesla invented a different kind later because Edison wouldn't allow his own to be used. :p
(I forgot the exact details, but I think it had something to do with the World's Fair)

I think Albert Einstein was the most influential American ever, since his unified theory of relativity laid the foundation for a lot of our modern physics.
Actually...I just wanted to put Einstein. :P

As far as influencing my own thoughts and life, Kurt Vonnegut.

I have to agree with FDR. Considering all his accomplishments but also his lasting legacy. Although, one could say Thomas Jefferson becasue of the Louisinna Purchase (Const. Interpretation), but he's also got enough negatives.

E=mc squared always confused me. I never got what each letter meant.

Sir Issac Newton for the Laws of Physics.

I have to agree with FDR. Considering all his accomplishments but also his lasting legacy. Although, one could say Thomas Jefferson becasue of the Louisinna Purchase (Const. Interpretation), but he's also got enough negatives.

Jefferson was indeed an important person not only did he make the deal of a century as far as the purchase, he also sent out louis and clark, and wrote us some very important documents :p.

Sadly alot of people dont realize even tho Jefferson sent out the expidition which lead to the pacific. It was under James Polk which our Nation spanded from sea to shining sea.

On a side note, Edisons light bulb still works to this day. I believe it is at the smithsonian in DC. Yes lightbulbs last forever, they just make them to where they dont, so you have to buy more. :p there would be no business if that weren't the case. How do you think they now come up with the 3, 5, and 7 year light bulbs?

The Oil company has pattens on engines that run 75 miles to the gallon. I am sure the world will see them when the hydrogen cell starts dragging down their sales 60 years from now :p

E=mc squared always confused me. I never got what each letter meant.

Sir Issac Newton for the Laws of Physics.

E=energy

m=mass

c=the speed of light

I still couldn't tell you exactly why it's important. ^_^;

Although Einstein obviously deserves credit where credit is due, he was also born and raised in Germany. So that discounts him a tad.

I don't know who the greatest American is. I do think Harry Houdini deserves props, though. He gave his life for the art of illusion, something we've come to depend on and marvel at in many aspects of our lives today. He was revolutionary, blah blah, and all that. Though, probably not as much as Britney Spears, but you'll have that.

On a side note, Edisons light bulb still works to this day. I believe it is at the smithsonian in DC. Yes lightbulbs last forever, they just make them to where they dont, so you have to buy more. :p there would be no business if that weren't the case. How do you think they now come up with the 3, 5, and 7 year light bulbs?

i had a professor that once told me i could buy a $0.50 power regulator (or something like that) at radio shack that you can fight into a light bulb socket, then put the light bulb in, and it will make the bulb last about 10 years. light bulbs burn out when the switch is thrown and its because the initial wattage that goes into the bulb burns out the filament.
*wishes i could remember what she called it*

but you're right, its all a clever ploy by GE to sell their longer lasting halogen bulbs at a higher rate. :p

plus they dont light nearly as good in darker places. we tried one out in the ice cream freezer at work, what a joke. it was like using 1 christmas light. A 45 watt bulb would have been more effective.

they could make the filiment last pretty much indefinantly at 100watts with better materials.