2007 - People That Helped to Shape Our Society

Were these people truly important in 2007? Well, some of them were, and others were not, but they did help to shape the world we are in today.

Justin Timberlake

Timberlake seems to be able to do it all. At 26, he can write, produce and act. He is a great entertainer. Even those that could not stand him in his boy band days tend to tap their toes when something that he has been involved in comes over the airwaves. He doesn't seem to be fading away or going anywhere. I think he has gone to prove that if you have talent and you want something bad enough, the world is yours for the taking.

America Ferrara

America Ferrara is better known to many people as Ugly Betty. Although she has been acting for many years, this was the show that got many people to notice her. At age 23, she has become the spokesperson for "average" women around the world. She isn't perfect, she isn't anorexic and she is proud of who she is and how she looks. America has given a voice to women who thought that they did not have one.

Al Gore

The ex-vice president of the United States and former presidential candidate has taken the country by storm. With his film, An Inconvenient Truth, people from Alaska to Wyoming are talking about global warming. Gore has been able to put his cause in the face of Americans and has made them listen. Gore has recently been given a Noble Prize for his work.

Chad Hurley/Steve Chen

The creators of YouTube. YouTube, the do-it-yourself video website, has allowed people to make fools of themselves or gain cult following. Have an idea? Want to share a story. Plug up the webcam and go to town. Chad and Steve have changed the way that the world communicates.

Chris Crocker

"Leave Britney Alone!!!!" Need I Say More? Ok, sure I do. Any idiot can make a video and become popular.

Tom (Anderson)

Myspace has become the social outlet to the world. The world now checks out Myspace before hiring you for a job and the police check your Myspace account when you are accused of a crime. Everything that you put out into the world is now liable to make you or break you. Tom had a great idea and he ran with it. Yes, Myspace and Tom came to become a part of the web a few years back, but 2007 has been their best year yet.

Chris Hansen

To Catch a Predator has become a favorite to many, except to those that are caught soliciting sex and meeting what they think are teenage girls. Chris Hansen has become an overnight success with the show. It is sad, now predators have to watch their backs and make sure that Chris Hansen is not lurking. I wish they would have come up with this concept years ago.

Britney Spears

Love her or hate her, she has impacted society. We have seen, through Britney's breakdowns how to melt down as America is watching. She has become more addictive than watching the OJ Simpson White Bronco Chase. Seriously, she has. "Did you see what Britney did yesterday?" From shaving her head to not restraining her kids in the car Britney has shown the world how to be a wacky and be a bad Mom. Who could ask for anything more?

Paris (Hilton) and Lindsey (Lohan)

Numbers nine and ten. I felt they needed to share this honor as I do not feel that one is better (or worse) than the other. One has been in jail and the other has been in rehab. Have they helped to make great advances in the world? No. Have they provided a way to make us laugh at the ignorance of people who appear to have everything? Yes.