7 Game-changers: don't play the game - just change it.

There is so much to be said of Game-changers - these are people that are admired by millions, including myself, and not always in a state of admiration at the exact time that they are changing the game. 


1. Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC) - 

Socrates bust from - Wikipedia.com

He created the Socratic method and basically founded western philosophy. Before Socrates most didn't question authority. After Socrates people began to realize that sometimes those in power don't always have the best answers.

2. Jesus (1 AD - 33 AD) - 

Jesus - from americanjesus.net

Despite your religious tradition. It's hard to argue that an individual by the name of Jesus had some impact on the world we now live in about 2,000 years ago. Rumor has it that his opinions of helping the needy and the downtrodden was not that popular among the Pharisees and Sadducees of his day. I'll leave it open to debate though whether his Gnostic followers, Catholic followers or Protestant followers have the right opinion of him. 

3. Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922) - 

Although there's definitely some controversy about whether he really created his most famous invention - the telephone - or stole the idea. Alexander Graham Bell was an inventor at his best, innovator at the very least. In a time where telegraph's were all the rage the telephone came along and did a number on Western Union similar to the number email is doing to the U.S. Postal service today.

4. Ayn Rand - (February 2 1905 – March 6, 1982) -  

Ayn Rand - wikipedia.com

Q:  How you create a super-capitalist , ultra-individualist philosopher? 
A: Get a few communists to shut down your father's successful pharmacy at pivotal stage during your early childhood. 

If you've never read an Ayn Rand book you are in for a treat and I can guarantee you one thing: you will either love them or hate them. Rand created the 20th century philosophy called Objectivism. More or less it is the philosophy of the self-interest. 

I personally love her novels and think her disciple and former lover Nathaniel Branden is by far the best psychotherapist in the world right now. If you're looking for a novel to fire you up and/or piss you off you should read Atlas Shrugged* today. If you're looking for a non-fiction book to "get your mind right" you should read Nathaniel Branden's Six pillars of self-esteem.

5. Steve Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) - 

Steve Jobs - Wikipedia.com

If you've been under a rock for the past decade you might not have heard of a once small company called Apple. The Ipod, Iphone and Ipad would not exist without the prodding and strong driving personality that was Steve Jobs. But before he revolutionized the music and digital publishing industries, He actually helped start the personal computer industry. And if his biography is any indication, he did it mainly to prove to his birth father it was a mistake to give him up for adoption - If you're up there Mr. Jobs - I believe you proved your point with massive success.

6. Todd McFarlane (b. March 16, 1961 - ) 

Todd McFarlane - wikipedia.com

This name is likely unfamiliar to you unless you happen to be a geek, nerd, Blerd (like me) and/or enjoy comic books (which some would argue would put you in one of the first three categories but, whose judging right?) . Anyway, Todd McFarlane is the creator of the Spawn comicbook series but  he also changed the game was the McFarlane Toys line which came on to the toy scene at a time when cheaply made action figures were quickly spray-painted and sometimes had details like eyes or badges weren't even painted at all. 

McFarlane changed the game by creating action figures that are literally pieces of art. The figures were so detailed and so realistic that adults began collecting the figures simply for the quality as opposed to the previous market which was focused strictly on their original use children's playthings. To give you an idea of the difference - here is an example of two Batman figures 

Before McFarlane came on the scene:

  
and After

Notice any difference?

 7. Elon Musk: (b. June 28, 1971) 

Of all the living entrepreneurs that inspire me to be more creative and innovative each and every day Elon Musk is definitely within the top 3 ( possibly top 2). Not only has he revolutionized the way we pay for things through the company he founded just over a decade ago - you might've heard of it, it's called Paypal - He's also looked to the stars with his Company SpaceX and more recently to the open road with his innovative electric car company Tesla.

Although there's a rumor that he has very little patience for chit chat, he seems to be hell bent on not only changing the world but changing it for the better ...or die trying. 

Obviously this list may be leaving out a few of your own personal favorite game changing individuals. (Martin Luther King & Barack Obama come to mind) Feel free to use the comments below to tell me who I missed and why you feel  they "changed the game" so to speak.