Never underestimate the negativity of the Internet.
In preparing for its annual issue listing the world’s 100 most influential people, Time magazine offered its online readers a chance to vote on potential candidates — with dismal results.
According to voters in the online poll — which opened Tuesday, giving readers a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ choice on 158 global movers and shakers — only about 30 people deserve to make the list and they mostly consist of actors, singers and TV personalities.
As of Friday at 3 p.m., the only people getting approval from more than 75 percent of voters were “Harry Potter” actress Emma Watson (79 percent for), 17-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai (81 percent for) and South Korean pop artist Lee Chaelin, aka CL from the group 2NE1 (89 percent for).
Apart from that trio, voters have been decidedly less convinced about anyone else’s global influence, except for when it comes to conservative American political leaders.
Jeb Bush isn't among the world's 100 most influential people, according to online voters. (Getty Images)
Time’s voters have been nearly unanimous in denying the influence of potential right-wing presidential candidates like Ted Cruz (89 percent against), Jeb Bush (88 percent against) and Marco Rubio (86 percent against). However, as of Friday afternoon, it was Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker who was getting the least love (90 percent against).
Voters also shot down a number of people who are expected to have considerable influence on both sides of the 2016 presidential race. Charles and David Koch, who plan to spend nearly $900 million backing conservative candidates in the upcoming race stood with 86 percent of voters against them being on the list. On the left, Tom Steyer had 75 percent of voters against him.
Powerful CEOs haven’t fared well in the online poll either. Starbucks leader Howard Schultz (64 percent against), Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk (63 percent against) and Disney boss Bob Iger (59 percent against) would all be kept off the list, according to the Internet majority. Voters were more undecided on Netflix CEO Reed Hastings (52 percent against) and Apple CEO Tim Cook (52 percent for).
If it were up to online voters, neither Kanye nor Kim would make Time's list. (Getty Images)
In case you were keeping track of representatives from the Kardashian-Jenner family, Kanye West currently leads all members with only 79 percent of voters against him. West’s wife Kim Kardashian has 84 percent of voters saying no while little sister Kendall Jenner is proving slightly more popular at 80 percent against her inclusion.
So who do the voters think should be on the list?
As of Friday afternoon, Beyonce, actor Benedict Cumberbatch, fashion designer Alexander Wang, the Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga all had comfortable margins approving their level of global influence.
Sorry, Taylor Swift (52 percent against), maybe next year.
Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
