Next Tournament

[Lepton]

I'd be happy to moderate the next round. I know that it's a fair bit of work, and it's only fair to rotate the workload.

[The Ragin' South Asian]

I would like to officially withdraw myself from consideration for greatest human. These tourneys are much more fun when they aren't forgone conclusions from the start.

[Chuck]

You weren't being considered, but this display of humility puts you over the top.

[dethwing]

Greatest living human? Or greatest ever?

I can just immagine some of the debates the latter would spurn.

[Amb]

Just wait for the name 'Jesus' to appear.

[Antrax]

We could do "best movie" again so Dark Knight can sweep
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After years of disappointment with get rich quick schemes, I know I'm gonna get rich with this scheme. And quick!

[Undercover Monk]

I like the ideal of Greatest Human But I think religious figures like Jesus and Mohammed should be barred we dont need this forum to turn into a religious debate we already have plenty of those and the atheists v. christians v. muslims v. jews v. hindus v. budhists v. scientologists could distract from the fun of the tournament.
_________________
The Classic Blunders:
1. never get involved in a land war in Asia
2.Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line
3. Never release Peyton Manning

[AZu]

[Antrax]

We have plenty of religious debates? Could you link me to a couple of recent ones?
_________________
After years of disappointment with get rich quick schemes, I know I'm gonna get rich with this scheme. And quick!

[Lepton*]

How about "greatest human of the last 1000 years"? It seems like an arbitrary number (#fingers^3) and neatly avoids Jesus and Mohammed, while leaving lots of room for positive religious figures of the 'modern day'. Additionally, it includes the western renaissance, and most of the decently-recorded history in Asia.

[AZu]

It leaves out a lot of important historical figures though. Ancient Greek philosophers come to mind. I think we could probably keep it civilized even if religious figures were nominated.

There would probably be more issue with people not wanting Jesus or Mohamed to be part of a popularity contest than being upset over the fact that they didn't win it (if someone is really going to get that upset he shouldnt nominate them to begin with). So that said I think nominations should be free but people should be allowed to ask for the removal of a nomination they find offensive (i.e. I believe it belittles my faith to subject the name of Jesus to a popularity contest).

All and all though I agree we should steer clear of such contentious figures.

[Courk]

Now, what about debatabley real people?

[AZu]

I believe all nominees should arrive at the venue with their birth certificates in hand.

[dethwing]

I see no reason to not allow Religious figures. This is all for fun yes, but it also is useful for creating dicusssions. We are on a discussion board after all.

I'm fairly confident that people on the GL can keep their debates civilized enough so that everyone can enjoy such a topic.

[Coyote]

I'm an atheist, and I agree that religious figures should be allowed. In fact, Jesus was amongst the first five names I thought of.

Of course, if he ever came up in a match against someone I considered greater, I'd vote against him without hesitation.

[Lepton*]

The way that I see it, the story of Job has probably had more on an influence on more people than any person living today. Ditto for a handful of other figures of (as Courk astutely pointed out) persons of dubious actuality. Then too, are two viewpoints on Jesus: an orthodox Catholic would probably view him to be #1, but there is another school of thought that holds that Jesus's legacy was hugely exagerrated by Peter (and company).

However, similar issues arise with anyone else worth mentioning, to a lesser degree. Like AZu alludes, what we should care about is the impact and greatness of these people and their deeds rather than the vericacity of their credos.

[Scurra]

[Ctuchik]

We all know who's gonna win the "Greatest human" tournament!
Chuck Norris! (1st, 2nd and 3rd place)

[Courk]

Chuck Norris is human?

[AZu]

I believe it belittles my faith to subject the name of Chuck Norris to a popularity contest

[Courk]

Perhaps we could do favorite TV character?

[Undercover Monk]

TV charachter is too close to TV and we already did fictional charachters.

My problem is with Jesus I feel that many of us would feel handicapped to vote him every round. Which I would. Even if you dont believe in the validity of his claim of being the son of God he definately changed the world landscape more than any other person and Mohammad also has vastly affected the world more so than any non-religious figure. It just doesnt seem fair. Should Chuck Norris be the banned as well because he gets 2nd in my book behind JC.
_________________
The Classic Blunders:
1. never get involved in a land war in Asia
2.Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line
3. Never release Peyton Manning

[Aga*]

To me, Jesus was a fictictional character, so how could 'I' validate a poll contest where Jesus is listed as "the greatest human"?

[AZu]

[AZu]

Also I was thinking that an alternative to Greatest Human could be Greatest Comedian which should prove fun(ny) :

John Cleese vs Rowan Atkinson
Chris Rock vs Sam Kinison
George Carlin vs Richard Pryor
Joe Rogan vs Carlos Mencia

less thought provoking perhaps but thought is overrated anyway.

[Undercover Monk]

[wordcross]

I will third comedians
_________________
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

[MatthewV]

Best Children's Book. I'm sure the people here will need some strict parameters to got along with this *rolls eyes*

[Lepton*]

[Ctuchik]

I agree (that "Greates Human" is (the most) interesting)!
And we should have a thread to nominate people.
Something like: everybody may nominate 10 people. Keep the thread open for 168 hours then start the tournament with the 32 that got the most nominations.

[Zag]

Hmm. ~looks around~ I don't hang around here, but this conversation looked interesting.

How about the greatest non-deity human? Therefore, all people who consider Jesus to be a deity are prohibited from voting for him. (On the other hand, I might vote for him.)

Or maybe the greatest human who lived in the second or third millennium, which excludes Jesus, Muhammad, and most other founders of major religions. (Any Mormons or Scientologists around? They might cause trouble.) I guess that also excludes Socrates and his gang, though, which is unfortunate.

How about humans who are famous for something other than religion? It leaves Thomas Beckett, Mother Theresa, Joan of Arc, Chuck Norris, and a few others with questionable status, but otherwise it works, I think.

[Amb]

* foresees greatest Human evolving into Greatest GLer *

[Coyote]

How 'bout we just go with 'Greatest Human' with no qualifiers whatsoever? People who feel 'handicapped' by having to vote for someone simply because they think that person is in fact the Greatest Human will be balanced by those who vote against that person either because they think he's disqualified due to nonexistance, or, heaven help us, because they actually believe he wasn't as Great as the person he's matched against.

I'm very much against the idea of banning any contestant simply because some people think that contestant has too good a chance of winning. We already tried that with Mafia, and I personally was not too happy about where it led.

Besides, I'd really like to see how the Jesus vs. Amb match-up goes!

[Undercover Monk]

Yeah but your the one who raised a fuss over that mafia match-up (you were wrong btw) so your baised.

Oh well if we do include Jesus its a no brainer who I will vote to win. And there is historic evidence that a Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and buried no one can dispute that. If some of us didnt believe he rose from the dead no one would be arguing that this person is fictional.

Also I would like to put forth again greatest Comedian it has three votes and would be less contriversial (I hope) Of course theres no telling with you lot.

Religion aside Im glad this forum has come back so strongly and am happy to hand over the reigns and just have fun with it.
_________________
The Classic Blunders:
1. never get involved in a land war in Asia
2.Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line
3. Never release Peyton Manning

[wordcross]

you+are=you're

I'd mod favourite comedian. Even if we decide to go with something else right now, I'll do it after Lepton finishes
_________________
Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

[Coyote]

Yeah but your the one who raised a fuss over that mafia match-up (you were wrong btw) so your baised.
I assume you meant biased. Yeah, of course I'm biased, and so is everyone else here. That's one of the things that makes these tournaments so fun. It's also the reason people try to explain the rationale behind their bias. As well as the reason why 'your baised' needs a little extra support before it can be considered a convincing rebuttal

btw, I like the idea that enclosing some random statement in parentheses automatically gives it the veneer of truth. Let me give it a try:

(no I wasn't wrong, not in the least, so there)

Wow! That works great!

Oh well if we do include Jesus its a no brainer who I will vote to win.
Are you saying you're biased? Vote for whoever you like--that's the whole idea of these tournaments. I'm not sure what your point here is.

And there is historic evidence that a Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and buried no one can dispute that.
I think it's already been demonstrated that there are in fact people who can and do dispute this.

If some of us didnt believe he rose from the dead no one would be arguing that this person is fictional.
As far as I know it's still being argued whether Robin Hood was a purely fictitious character or an actual person. Robin Hood may have made a few daring escapes, but resurrection wasn't one of them.

[Undercover Monk]

I was joking I thought I made that clear sorry I didnt mean for you to take me serious.

And whatev on the Jesus was fictisious argument not going near that one anymore
_________________
The Classic Blunders:
1. never get involved in a land war in Asia
2.Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line
3. Never release Peyton Manning

[Antrax]

Saying we can't allow Jesus in because that would "force" some people to vote for him makes as much sense as my saying it's good Twin Peaks wasn't a part of the TV series tournament because I would vote for it over any other show, seeing as it's the best show I've ever seen.

I am surprised by the number of people who are worried about "religious debate". As UM pointed out, we haven't had one of those in a while, and back when we had plenty, I don't recall any problem with it. Personally I won't be offended even if all you heathens will somehow upset good old Moses with your radical new religions.
_________________
After years of disappointment with get rich quick schemes, I know I'm gonna get rich with this scheme. And quick!

[Undercover Monk]

Its not that jesus would force me. Its just that when religion is discussed it very easy to lose your temper and tear the good will of fellow labyrinthers (just ask the middle east about religion) I plan to vote Jesus every time simply cause this discussion proves how influential he is
_________________
The Classic Blunders:
1. never get involved in a land war in Asia
2.Never go in against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line
3. Never release Peyton Manning

[Antrax]

I don't recall many tempers lost in the past, so I think if you can control your own, we should all be in the clear.
_________________
After years of disappointment with get rich quick schemes, I know I'm gonna get rich with this scheme. And quick!