Since I’m starting my SI Sportsperson of the Year thread over in The Game Room, I thought I’d start one for Time Person of the Year as well.
I think it’s one of two people: either Greta Thunberg, or the Whistleblower (whether revealed or remaining anonymous).
It could be Trump, as the center of the impeachment talk, but I think they’re saving him, and all of the major Democratic candidates, for next year; IMO, whoever is elected President will be the 2020 Person of the Year - yes, even if it’s Biden. (Almost certainly, if it’s Trump or one of the Progressive candidates.)
There’s a lot of protesting going on but I’m not sure how effective they are, or even how effective Greta Thunberg is despite the hubbub. A lot of the change she is talking about has already begun. Nancy Pelosi though, holds a lot in her hands and has been able to shut down opponents several times to great effect.
My thought though is “Social Media” which has greatly changed society and continues to have a huge influence for better or worse. Is it a single person or persons? No, it’s made up of practically everybody.
I fully support what she is doing, but that is exactly what she said she doesn’t want. She doesn’t want people acting like she is a hero while we all sit around and do nothing about climate change. Making her person of the year while the world only addresses climate change on the margins is just patronizing to her. She wants action, not nice words.
I’m guessing they may pick ‘youth’ or ‘people under 30’ or something. Young people are leading climate change efforts, marching for gun safety, voting in record numbers.
Are Greta Thunberg and The (Anonymous) Whistleblower well known enough? Does Time select their Person of the Year based on the demographics of those who read Time, of the public in general or something else? I don’t think (admittedly based on nothing but my gut) that many know who Thunberg or The Whistleblower are or what events are related to them. According to Wikipedia, sales and advertising revenue play at least some part in the selection. There hasn’t been a big name since 2016. I would bet on a big name this year, although I don’t have a guess yet as to whom that would be. Robert Mueller has been a runner-up the past two years, so maybe they’ll go in that direction. Both 2017 and 2018 were groups/classes; I don’t think they’d do that three years in a row.
