# Greatest living American elimination game (game thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [June 16, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715 "2025-06-16T19:12:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/241 "2025-07-16T18:37:17Z")
I’m going back to Bernie Sanders. I think his joining of the Democratic Party so that he can make a run at President was disingenuous, and complaining about their failure to back him helped elect the single worst human to ever be in charge of the country. I’ll give Buffett a pass on his accumulation of wealth as he does not seem to be callously gimme gimme gimme like others in his position, and advocates for lower income Americans to have more for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/242 "2025-07-16T19:08:18Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I sense a bias against greatness reached by being an artist here, how can people vote to eliminate Steven fricking Spielberg from the list while Warren Buffet is still there? > Is the ability to accumulate money “greater” than the ability to create wonderful art? I think we are reaching a ceiling here where the entertainers will likely start falling. At the end of the day, it’s hard for me to rate someone who “only” created great art ahead of those who made substantial material improvements in the lives of large numbers of people. Having said that, I agree that philanthropy also has its limits as a qualifier for greatness. To channel Chris Rock, if you’re a multi-billionaire, giving away tons of money to good causes is just what you’re SUPPOSED to do. Even if you’re part of a group where grossly unethical behavior is common, doing the minimum required to be a decent person only gets you so much credit (see also: Mitt Romney). But I don’t think there’s any point in voting for Warren Buffett while Mackenzie Scott is still on the table; she’d be a close second choice for me today. Buffett is a legitimate genius at investing; it may not be the most spiritually exalted field of human endeavor, but at least he’s a genius at it. He is also, as noted above, arguably “the greatest philanthropist the country has ever seen”. Scott married into her wealth, and is, despite her commendable generosity, _not_ the greatest philanthropist the country has ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/243 "2025-07-16T19:11:24Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > entertainers “Entertainers” like William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, Homer, Virgil, Charles Dickens, Mary Shelley, JRR Tolkien, Dante and others like them are arguably the greatest humans of their eras. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/244 "2025-07-16T19:18:55Z")
Spielberg ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/245 "2025-07-16T19:20:31Z")
“Et tu…” ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/246 "2025-07-16T19:20:58Z")
It helps that I don’t like his movies. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/247 "2025-07-16T19:21:29Z")
Ego te absolvo ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/248 "2025-07-16T19:28:11Z")
Scott ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/249 "2025-07-16T19:31:30Z")
Spielberg ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/250 "2025-07-16T22:16:28Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > how can people vote to eliminate Steven fricking Spielberg from the list while Warren Buffet is still there? > Is the ability to accumulate money “greater” than the ability to create wonderful art? I nominated Buffet because unlike most other billionaires I can name, he doesn’t do hostile takeovers or leveraged buyouts. He invests in businesses long-term for growth, rather than churn a quick profit and dump the stock. In other words, that’s what a capitalist is supposed to do. On top of that, he’s given away most of the money he’s made over the years instead of building a Xanadu with gold toilets. If we don’t think someone doing what they’re “supposed” to do is a big deal, why can we name so few people who live up to that standard? For this round I’ll vote off Stephen King. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/251 "2025-07-16T22:20:05Z")
_Enters @Kent_Clark into his enemies list_ ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/252 "2025-07-16T22:36:56Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Is the ability to accumulate money “greater” than the ability to create wonderful art? Like I said, it helps that I don’t think he’s that great an artist. I liked Jaws, but I find his work schlocky. Now when they come for Dolly, I’ll be upset. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/253 "2025-07-16T22:39:29Z")
That’s why I absolved you, stylistic differences I understand, money over art is a bit harder (yes, philanthropy I get it, but I’m not sure he didn’t cause more poverty winning his money than he alleviated by giving a way a part of it) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/254 "2025-07-16T23:01:14Z")
I thought you were just being magnanimous. My vote for GLA is Dolly, she’s given away millions of books, done a ton of other charity work, has quietly supported music programs in schools in black communities, helped fund the initial COVID vaccine research and wrote Jolene and I Will Always Love You in the same week. And she came from abject poverty. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/255 "2025-07-16T23:28:54Z")
Still going Bill “Blue screen of death” Gates. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/256 "2025-07-16T23:31:56Z")
Stephen King ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/257 "2025-07-17T05:52:18Z")
Dylan. The only voice that grates on my more (at least that comes to mind) is Gilbert Gottfried. Then again, there was a time that I hated Janis Joplin’s voice, too, but I came around on Janis. Maybe one day I’ll come around on ol’ Bob. Until then, tho, he gets my vote. At least for this round. ---
**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/258 "2025-07-17T23:59:01Z")
Time for **Spielberg** to end up on the cutting room floor. _ **-“BB”-** _ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/259 "2025-07-18T17:50:16Z")
Our votes this round: José Andrés: Humanitarian, chef - 2 votes Warren Buffett: Level-headed billionaire - 1 vote Bob Dylan: Poet of generation - 1 vote Bill Gates: Futurist, philanthropist, billionaire - 1 vote Stephen King: Great American writer - 2 votes Bernie Sanders: Democratic Socialist leader - 1 vote MacKenzie Scott: Philanthropist, prize-winning novelist - 2 votes Steven Spielberg: Director, writer, entertainer - 4 votes Bruce Springsteen: Singer, songwriter, activist - 1 vote Steven Spielberg misses out on another Oscar for this round, and is gone. Our remaining nominees: José Andrés: Humanitarian, chef Joe Biden: President, uniter, overcomer Warren Buffett: Level-headed billionaire Bob Dylan: Poet of generation Anthony Fauci: Physician, immunologist, scientist Bill Gates: Futurist, philanthropist, billionaire Jesse Jackson: Civil rights leader Mark Kelly: Senator, astronaut, aviator Stephen King: Great American writer Barack Obama: President, statesman, lawyer Dolly Parton: Artist, humanitarian Bernie Sanders: Democratic Socialist leader MacKenzie Scott: Philanthropist, prize-winning novelist Bruce Springsteen: Singer, songwriter, activist Elizabeth Warren: Fighting political foes **Eliminated** 1. Jim Gaffigan: Comedian, author, commentator 2. Craig Ferguson: Polymath, director-writer, comedian 3. Mitt Romney: Senator, impeachment juror 4. Buzz Aldrin: Second on Moon 5. Taylor Swift: Musician, songwriter, icon 6. Tim Walz: Honorable political messenger 7. Simon Biles: GOAT gymnast 8. Judy Blume: Children’s literature icon 9. Amanda Gorman: Poet, activist, prodigy 10. Jim Lovell: Apollo 13 astronaut 11. Spike Lee: Filmmaker, Knicks fan 12. Janet Yellen: Economist, Treasury secretary 13. Magic Johnson: Superstar, survivor, inspiration 14. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Athlete, writer, activist 15. Amory Lovins: Physicist, energy activist 16. Steven Spielberg: Director, writer, entertainer Voting for our next round will end at noon EST on Mon. July 21. José Andrés yet again. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715/260 "2025-07-18T17:52:37Z")
Jose Andres [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-living-american-elimination-game-game-thread/1019715.md?page=14)