RIght on Bitz.

Corporate America is just outsourcing all kinds of good(insert sh*t), for us to buy.

Our country? I hope the heck it starts playing it closer to home.

Japans program for "cash for clunkers" 2 years ago, You couldn't by a Foriegn made auto. Protectionism?

The new Ideas and tech's We can do 9is great. But lest us not forget,We should be building,operating, owning these enities in the US. No need to outsource everything. What I like about this mans enterprise, is it is novel concept.

Now as far as global , pffft dont get Me started...

Sorry. I forgot that we didn't have roads and dams in the US. You're so right!

Facebook is not just another "phase". If you used it you would understand the capabilities of it and see that it has and continues to revolutionize the way people communicate. It will continue to grow and become inter-weaved into the fabric of our world for years to come.

I agree with Bitz. Facebook seems like a revolution to some, but I don't get that. I use it, too, but it just doesn't seem like that big a thing to me. Maybe it's because I don't use it enough though- everyone uses it differently.

I personally think Steve Jobs should have won. Apple has already proven itself to be a company with staying power, and Jobs is a person with a real story. I really loved his "You've got to find what you love" speech at Stanford.

And I don't mean to sound condescending, but for future reference, weaved isn't a word.

Travis E.

Facebook is not just another "phase". If you used it you would understand the capabilities of it

I used Facebook, I understood what it is capable of and then I discontinued (since I can't choose to delete) it.

Americans just do not understand the privacy you're handing over. Yes they have filters but once you in it, that's forever.

I agree with your take vis a vis China, for example. Seems we here are preoccupied with Marketing and Deal Making as opposed to actually making things anymore.

I find it hard to see how a so-called 'Service Economy' can continue and thrive but that is what the popular Economic Theory is. Our Deficits and Unemployment numbers bear testament to it though.

As far as Zuckerberg goes Time Magazine is again proving its irrelevance IMO.

I'm just glad it wasn't Assange. Personally, I voted for the Chilean Miners.

Sort of reminds me of the Zager and Evans song, "In The Year 2525" Will man be alive? If you ever heard a song forecast the future, this one is right on the mark. Sort of scart. Sometimes the only "Change" is only good for a baby. Personally I don't read very few magazines and listen to very few media sources, Seems they are build stories for great reviwes and don't care who's toes they step on. It's like the New York Times, Best Selling Book of the Year,. It's only because they were paid to list it.

Did anyone not see this coming?

I just threw up all over my keyboard. Time Magazine is irrelevant, but they obviously got my attention this morning. Now back to the rest of my life.

Facebook has been out for 6 years now, you realize that right?

Give him his 15 minutes. At least he had the balls to take a chance at a dream.

Travis E: I dropped out in the sixties, and I think it's time for me to drop out again. I still manage to communicate with my dogs without FB, so who needs it?

Waterdog - You're a trooper. I don't know how you manage to type on your vomit soaked keyboard.

Facebook is alot like the HoolaHoop. Great idea and made the guy alot of money. True value to society is questionable but what the hell, if ya like it, use it. If not......don't.

To bad it was not one of the Soldier who were presented the Medal Of Honor. I was half expecting Hugo Chavez or Assage or someone life that. I have many soldiers over here that are in more recognition by thier country than a billion dollar kid and Facebook.

I really fail to understand why America fails to recognize feats of Valor and everyday heroizm. Just makes one wonder what happened to pride in our service members who defied death for a friend and laid down thier life for a friend or stranger. this is just my Opinion.

The obvious choice was the Tea Party movement. Love them or hate them, everyone will agree this movement best fits the defining criteria used in Time's selection process. But I guess changing the entire political landscape of the United States doesn't count for too much.

Mark Zuckerberg deserves the “award.” Contrary to what many of you think, like it or not, Facebook has becaome a world-wide phenomenon. The “award” is not given based on good or bad, but on the impact someone or something has made. Clearly, it has!

Same here Blitz! I know Time's reasoning for some of their choices but there are so many heros out there, why this guy. (I have never heard of him.)

Why not the soldier? The nurse? The Fireman? The policeman?

There are whole groups of people who have "made a difference," for centuries. Yes, I am a little biased toward nurses but they have continually been past over forever. Oprah, and all always, honor teachers but no one advocates for nurses.

Just once, I would like to see nursing and nurses get the respect they deserve. Instead, nurses are portrayed as "Drill sergeants," "tramps or "dim-witted bimbos!"

Next time one of these Time Editors become ill, I hope they call Mr Z !

As for Facebook, I don't get them concept. People writing each other, about inane subjects. Or those games? Spell check does not even recognize Facebook!

To Shay-477512: you wrote that "The 'award' is not given based on good or bad, but on the impact someone or something has made." How then do you explain Time's choice for 2000: not-yet-president George W. Bush?

madeer-did you not pay attention at all to that election?? If you don't think it had impact, then you must have been in a coma.

At least Mark Zuckerberg being selected has resulted in healthy dialogue. I think it's great!! For all those folks who just may be a tad envious....?

I suppose some of you would have preferred Karzai's face on the TIME cover, or that of the Tea Party? Right!

The choice gives me hope that one day I can be the person of the year. All I have to do is steal my college friends idea and I am in!

Or do we have to overlook that little detail?

Personally I am more impressed with Buffett and Gates Billionaire give away club for humanity but oh well...

6 years facebook has been around and has 500 million users, 10% of the world population, no one has done that before, its' integrated with almost every major website out there (ever see the like buttons on non facebook sites). What he has done has revolutionized socialization, whether you agree with it or not. Hitler also won person of the year before, this isn't about good or bad, its about impact and no one has more impact than Zuck.

Norcal2 Zuck has pledged to give away his wealth as well.

Glad it wasn't Assange. Another Irritant on the Front Page of Time Magazine for Person of the Year.

Why can't they pick someone who has given themselves to Society in an Altruistic way.

Zuckerberg. He covered his tracks by donating all this money. He is a crook using people.

TIME Magazine sucks.

Jag I have no problem with Zuck's give-away, just how he ripped off the concept from college friends who included him in the original project to get it up and running.

He has also given money to the school system project so he is not bad. I do reject him getting credit for the brother's idea. Give it to him on money he may give away or some other deed but not for something that he basically stole or gave the appearance of stealing.

Many have pledged to give it away thanks to Buffett and Gates who started the give-away project and challenged all wealthy folks to join them. That is a wonderful thing.

I, personally, will never join facebook.

It's just the new aol.... A sandbox for people who can't understand the internet.

Well said Bitz, a "free thinker".. i agree... FB is a sign of widespread banality that criminals capitalize on. U.S value system digs shallow grave in contrast to other 'thinking' countries' . It's not SCI-FI to think Govt will eventually force us all on FB to keep tabs on us through the gateway of uncontitutional Obamacare if not repealed. I enjoy writing letters and real ntimacy so i boycott.

The Times man of the Year 1938 was Adolf Hitler, since that date, what credit does this magazine have?

http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/personoftheyear/archive/stories/1938.html

John, the title isn't "Best person in the world, or good guy all around" It's meant for impact, Hitler had more impact than anyone in 1938.

You can't attack time for what you think the issue should be about, you can only debate it based on what its supposed to be.

I don't even use Facebook so I hardly call him a Person of the Year.

To me, the American engineers from PA who helped free the Chilean miners ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE YEAR!

Personally I am more impressed with Buffett and Gates Billionaire give away club for humanity but oh well...

I am NOT impressed. Why in the hell don't they just pay more tax, including estate taxes?

Gates lives in a state that may now tax income (I don't know the result of the recent vote) or does not tax income.

So what these billionaires are really saying is that they want to choose where their charity goes - instead of welfare entitlement attitude people - they want to give to others.

I find them both to be major hypocrites. They could just pay more tax instead of trying to pass themselves off as altruists. How about giving to your own country first?

To Catholic Girl: The notorious decision of the Supreme Court re: the Florida vote re-count was a huge story - not Bush himself. But that's beside the point I was making to Shay about his comment that Time Magazine chooses Person of the Year based "on the impact someone or something has made."

In Dec 2000 when Time announced its choice, Bush himself had not made any impact on anything yet but was still chosen - simply because he was elected? Obama was named Person of the Year in 2008 after winning that election, but I believe he had been given the Nobel Peace Prize by then. Why he got the prize is beyond me, but there you have it!

By the way, I wonder why you find it necessary to try to insult someone to make your point - especially when you call yourself Catholic.

Karen both Buffett and Gates are FOR the Bush wealthy tax break expiring and have stated so openly. They do not mind paying MORE taxes.

Karen both Buffett and Gates are FOR the Bush wealthy tax break expiring and have stated so openly. They do not mind paying MORE taxes.

Hmmm. Buffet goes back and forth on the issue. I sometimes wonder if he is going senile.

While I realize that Gates helped with the income tax drive in his state, my perception is that he was not all that thrilled with the new tax in his state.

Do you happen to have their quotes you can post where they actually say this? Like I said, I have heard Buffet say no way to the new taxes and I have heard him say he should pay more.

WHAT IS HIS STORY?

If it were really true - why hasn't Obama pointed out to the Republicans that Buffet and Gates are all for paying more taxes while the middle class gets a tax cut? That would be pretty major support for Obama's position, would it not?

That's why I don't believe it. Obama is such a media w - - - e that he would jump and down at the chance to use that info.

Karen it has been mentioned more than once. Here is a story about it but it should also be noted that both men give away more annually than tax deductions can make up for so even if it is expired they will still pay out more. The last I read is that for Gates and his bride, they pay out more annually to charity than they make annually.

http://www.accountingtoday.com/news/Millionaires-Offer-Let-Bush-Tax-Cuts-Expire-56398-1.html

The Buffett and Gates family are pretty impressive billionaires and humans.

Thanks Norcal. As I mentioned, Buffet goes back and forth. That IS a fact.

I used to use him as backup when I said the rich think they should pay more tax and then Buffet said the opposite. I was SHOCKED and realized that Buffet talks out of both sides of his mouth.

Since YOU know how much they are always giving to charity, I really don't call them altruistic. MOST major donors like to remain anonymous.

To Madeer - First of all, without Bush, there would have been no impact at all.. Second I was NOT insulting anyone, I was merely making an observation, and third, Just because I am Catholic does not mean that I am not also human. I guess the only thing we agree on is that neither of us understand why Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize.

So according to Time magazine; a thieving, totally disposable, obnoxious little nerd who steals a design for a "socializing " flash in the pan web site is "Person Of the Year"!?!?

Nice job "Time Magazine", on becoming completely irrelevant.

This little piece of garbage and his faddish web site are small time compared to the likes of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and others who actually bring innovation, design and function to our lives. Kind of reminds one of the importance of awarding Justin Bieber as "Artist of The Year".

What a mediocre society the USA has made of itself.

I agree... Zuck was "first to press" with this idea. While I applaud his efforts and congratulate him on his fortune, if he didn't start this when he did, it was only a matter of time before someone else did and, thus, became the multi-billionaire and Time's Person of the Year.

Actually one of the main reasons they chose him is because he contributes so much of his income to charity. This article didn't mention that for whatever reason.

Yeah, at least he's not spending it all on boats and Maybachs like some rapper would.

If you really stare at the Time cover long enough you'll realize that Mark Z is a freaking alien and is taking over our tiny little brains one at a time. I tried Facebook and see no value in anything there. Instead I found out that friends are playing Farmville for hours and not tending to their kids. What the hell is the poking about and it had the worse search function. I signed up just to find old Army buddies. Do you know how many freaking "Duane Mitchell's" are on there. What good is it if I don't know where they live?

His idea was just an improvement on an existing site...MySpace. He made it exclusive to college students, like a secret club, and it became popular. Then with the success of that popularity he opened it to everyone and their mother (literally). Then he started adding gadgets and apps which basically made it a spitting image of MySpace, but the masses were already hooked!

As for his charitable donations, I do applaud that, but like Alan said "he's a guy who built a website" he didn't build a manufacturing plant, he didn't create new jobs, and he's not funneling that money back into the economy. Instead he (one person, singular) has made billions off of helping kids organize parties easier. That money could (and should) be put to better use, "distributed wealth" if you will, in this dismal economy.

he didn't create new jobs? really? Facebook as of september has 1,700 employees. I guess those aren't new jobs are they?

I don't know why everyone thinks he was some kind of great innovator. Have these people not heard of Myspace? Like Beer said, Facebook was just the new Myspace, just like Myspace was the new Friendster. Pretty soon another site will come along that will be the new Facebook. For some reason, the media really wants to hype this guy up though.

Yes he did

He really didn't, someone just hacked in and changed the count. That's why he didn't win.

The Tea Party movement was founded around one premise. That our government spending, monetary, and fiscal policies are all out of control and they need to be severely restricted. That was all. Now the movement has become everything to anyone on the right. Guns, gays, god, immigrants were not the original focus.

Let's see how many references to 'teabagging' we get on this thread as well, a very creative and and polite way to speak of someone who we don't agree with.

alan,

Interesting that you should bring up the term "teabagging". It's not like the Tea Party has never used it. I recall seeing a sign at one of their early rallies that said: "Teabag the Lib-Dems before they teabag you".

Wiht Time naming Hitler, Stalin, LBJ, Ayatullah Khomeini, Ben Bernanke & Obama MOTY, what credibility are you talking about? As far as I'm concerned, they never really had any. It's just a political ploy that backfires every now and then and isn't worth our time.

Bali Bob, are you that out of touch with the world that you think the tea party invented the term teabagging? LOL!!!!

'The Person of the Year' award is supposed to be about the most influential person, no matter how evil or good.

And I don't know of any Tea Partiers who reference themselves as 'Teabaggers.'

Yes, I know what it's about, but I've never been able to wrap my head around naming evil bastards Men of the Year and giving them such status, when there are so many others which present good influence for the people or a country, who deserve it far more. I'm probably not alone on that one.

Bali Boob... your opinion is just that, YOUR opinion. Obviously there are many more that disagree with you and as a result the Tea Party is a new political force by and of the people. You don't have to like it, but to discount it because you don't believe in it is simply discarding the fact that it even exists. And it does. Deal with it.

To alan_static: You wrote: "And I don't know of any Tea Partiers who reference themselves as 'Teabaggers.'" So I guess you are not aware of the media images broadcast around the world that showed tea-partiers at rallies wearing hats with tea bags dangling from the brims? I would call that "self-referencing."

Bob hitler has won this before, IT'S NOT ABOUT GOOD OR BAD IT'S ABOUT IMPACT. When will people get the point of it, seriously.

To Jerry-835503: In his Gettysburg Address, Lincoln refers to "government of the people, by the people, for the people..." And in the Preamble to the Constitution, it is written: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

So the expression "the people" refers to the totality of the citizens included in the political entity known as the United States of America. I point this out because you wrote: "...the Tea Party is a new political force by and of the people." No, it is not. The Tea Party is a force "by and of" only some of the people: it does not have anywhere near the broad support necessary to claim it represents "the people."

Comparing Tea Party philosophy to the Preamble: the Tea Party is divisive not unifying, protects misconduct not justice, insures domestic strife and hostility not tranquility, promotes the welfare of millionaires & billionaires not the general welfare of the average citizen, and threatens to secure their version of the blessings of liberty with "second amendment remedies." I shudder to think of the kind of Constitution they want to write and enforce on America.

Jerry, it is my observation that the Tea Party is a political force of the angry ignorant, by the angry ignorant, and for the angry ignorant - and it is a very dangerous force.

east coast~

Obviously you have the reading comprehension of a child. Bob never stated that the tea party invented the term "teabagging". People love to jump to conclusions that aren't there.

You got it right Kim. The truth will prevail. I often wondered why "Time" never mentioned the "Woman" of the Year" After all they claim to be a non-biased magazine.

Psssst.. hey Kim... Your tin-foil hat is on a little too tight..

Yeah, Jason2395565... call her a loon for an opinion that is right on. If anyone has the foil hat on too tight, it's you. Wake up.

Make that two less.

Assange? Really? lol.

Yes Assange really.....why don't you go sign in to facebook and ask one of your friends who he is.......he's the one trying to show you what a fraud our government is..... and yes that would be the government who now has all your personal info on file from your facebook account.....(insert asinine facebook smilie here).

Wait till we get attacked and see whos laughing.

Just goes to show you what is important to the Sheeple of America. What you said it correct... and very sad.

No doubt, Rack n Stack,

Let me spend more money on sh*t that has someones, none peace,economical,society, contributions. How about the President( like him or not), Soldiers, Police , teachers make a whole lot less, but contribute a heck of lot more.

I'm just waiting for the zombie Apocalypse too. You and me both brother. Let's continue to wait it and ignore the reality of Facebook.

Assange, right?

@ steve.

Funny.. Heck I even work for a Newspaper. They just want to sell ads. The News is puked up from anything else that is day/days ahead ,sometimes. Just filler crap with some Global/Poltitico streamers. Corporate rag. Just fill the pages with demographic hit list. Pffft.

Who reads your little Time Magazine? (Now I've got an urge to watch that Zoolander movie)

I haven't read a TIME magazine in nearly 20 years.

and yet....you all care enough to post and complain about the choice. So irrelevancy isn't their problem.

You think Time is disconnected, What about the "Medal of Honor" receipient that said,. "I don't deserve this medal, It belongs to the fallen soldiers I couldn't save." And then there is the "Nobel Peace Award" What a joke they've become.

THAN...

I agree wholeheartedly John... Karzia? Assange? lol, gimme a break.

Sorry. than in place of then....

Ruth - I don't think we're doomed. Time Magazine might be losing credibility just like the Nobel Peace Prize.

I could understand being hurt when you only get a text message on your birthday. A text message is like a pinch but a call is more like a comforting hug because they took the time to check in on you and make sure your day is great.

Wow. Some grown adults really take their own birthdays too seriously. I'd focus on the quality of your relationship with them on the rest of the days of the year. Turning an expression for well wishes, no matter its form, into an insult because you wanted more attention is a bitter, selfish thing to do.

hey theres an old addage if 500 million flies land on it it cant be that bad

Ruth: "changing the way we communicate"--That's a bit of hype not to be taken too seriously. Kids aren't LESS social because they "facebook" rather than use the phone...and if your own family chooses to communicate that way rather than see you in person, I'm guessing that would have happened with or without facebook.

Ruth, you sound old and out of touch. The world has changed and is changing. Get with it or get out of the way.

Funny that you don't have time for Facebook but you have time to complain about one of the most successful people of our time. The guy is a billionaire at 26. But he made his money with technology... perhaps you'd respect him more if he sold potatoes?! The simple fact is that he gave people what they wanted, and his product was better than anyone else's. If you don't find that interesting, you're not paying attention.

Ruth, I totally agree with your point of view. Whatever happened to picking up the phone?.... or better yet, dropping by in person? These social networking sites have not made us more "social" in the ways that really matter. Someone on here made a snide comment about you taking your birthday too seriously for an adult, but your birthday isn't really the point. The point is that the people who are supposed to love you the most didn't care to take the time to pick up the phone or see you in person so they can TELL you how they feel about you....so you can see and hear the their depth of feeling for you....and so they can really know how you're feeling in a way that can't be conveyed through a text message or chatting through FaceBook. The clueless and insensitive responses to your post show just how soulless modern technology has made our society.

yes, if he sold potatoes he would A) be feeding people and B) providing jobs to growers and distributors. this joker made billions for himself by making it easier for kids to organize parties. hardly a respectable career.

Well said, MmmMmmBeer!

Convenience killed socialization to a more impersonal level where all form of human contact is looked as more than an inconvenience.

One poster above said "Whatever happened to picking up the phone?.... or better yet, dropping by in person?" Sadly, it has come to society where even picking up the phone is now a drag because you actually have to walk over to the phone and pick it up over a few mouse clicks away on the computer you're already using. Dropping by in person is also a drag because you have to walk over to the car, turn on the ignition key, spend few minutes driving, parking the car, etc....versus just a few mouse clicks at the comfort of your own home. Yes, we've reached that low in laziness.

Back when I was a kid, people knew the mailman, they knew the post office workers when they went to send mail. Now people consider them to be a drag and they do everything over e-mail.

Back when I was a kid, people knew the pizza delivery guy and the person taking orders on the phone always knew what my family wanted, "extra cheese with double bacon, right?" and we'd all have a good laugh. But somewhere along the lines those days disappeared to ordering pizza over the internet.

Sad, but that's how things are these days. And they wonder why we're getting so fat.

I'm the one who made the "snide" comment about grown-ups and birthdays. I have two older sisters. We talk on the telephone on average once a week. Even though we live more than two hours apart, we find time for visits on average once a month. The efforts flow both ways. Text messaging and Facebook have not replaced phone calls and visits--they have provided an additional means of communication. I love getting a random text at odd hours or a funny wall post on Facebook from one of them. I never have to wonder how they feel about me. If you can't say the same about your siblings, modern technology is not your problem, nor did it cause it.

By the way, I've gotten the happy birthday text message before. I was pleased. I thanked her. I read no insult into it. But then, I don't expect to be treated differently on my birthday; that's spoiled and childish.

"God forbid if they talk to each other on the phone". A generation or so ago, our parents and grandparents were appalled that we only called our friends, and didn't see them face to face, or at least write. My brother lives 450 miles from me, and I talk to him almost daily now. Used to be a few times a year. How is facebook NOT making my life better, for free?

DCW85,

You're obviously part of the younger generation who has received way too much technology stimuli and is less able to sustain attention, focus and has learning difficulties. I also find it highly commendable that you're president of the Mark Zuckerberg's Fan Club.

LOL...now that's a stretch....don't you have something more significant to whine over ?

Time Magazine is left-wing?

I guess if you are at the South Pole extreme then everything is North...

And at the North Pole extreme, everything is South...

Isn't that how it's always been? The settlers lied, cheated and stole from the natives(not to mention killed) from the day they got here and that culture has remained solidly in place since then. We've always rewarded dishonesty in this country. Try getting elected to any office by telling the truth.

You thought the movie was a documentary??

you don't make any sense at all... when is one rich enough? after a certain point most wealthy people just pile it up, there's only so many things one can buy.

Spend it on the rest of us? please, don't talk about trickle down economics, it's a fraud.. when was the last time Steve Jobs spent money on "you"? he makes all his @!$%# in China...

Nothing against Rich folks, i'm doing well myself, but seriously, do you need a 100 room mansion? or 50 Ferraris?

I admire Buffet and Gates though..

Thumbs up

Like the taxing ideas. Sure make money off of smokes and booze, that kills thousands. Heck might as well legalize weed. Then, can the unemployed work any worse.

This country needs to look out for it's self. Make money here, design,create,build, put ino USA!

You're right Gorio. In the interest of freedom of information please respond with your full name and address, SS#, credit card info. and names of your family members. I know a person that's a wiz at SEO and he can get you near the top of all Google searches.

hilarious!

Nice post. When siblings & old friends live from Oregon, to Texas, to Illinois, to Ohio, etc., facebook is a convenient way to place material about ourselves and our families on one place that those geographically seperatated from us can access at their leisure. Networking, job-finding, catching up; why not use the most convenient modern tool to accomplish these tasks? Society responded to the "new" elements of the electric light, the automobile, the telephone and the television. They'll adapt just fine to this one too.

Until he can come up with Facebook being totally secure from anyone stealing my identity and other information I will continue to call on the phone or write letters and notes (remember that concept?) I have too many friends who have had problems.

You think Facebook is the only location where individual's identities are vulnerable. ????? People's personal information have been easy accessible for years and it didn't start out with Facebook. *rolls eyes*

You should look up how much he's given to charity and then try to challenge his "ethics" again.

The movie is not a documentary people!

Katie in TX, giving to charity doesn't make you ethical. If Bernie Madoff gave his life savings to charity I'm sure people would still want to hang him out to dry.

As for the story, Julian Assange is obviously the Person of the Year. You don't have to be liked at all to be POY. You just have to be involved in important issues. Facebook is not important. Unless you're a company looking to buy individuals info to sell products to them. Like I'm sure Time does on Facebook.

Yes the Tea Party is good, when America finally got to speak loudly and clearly to any one listening.

Maybe you should look up what the Tea Party's real intentions were? It was co-opted by the Republican Party. It's sad, because it could've done some real good.