Greatest persuasive writer/speaker of all time?

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Let's spit this into two parts.

1. The greatest writer, as in persuasive writing. Who was the greatest? Who could make you go to war, fight for a cause, change your belief in something, bring out emotions in you, or do something else that is powerful because of his written words.

2. The greatest speech giver, as in persuasive speeches. The same question for this part, but this person should be someone you can listen to. So, don't say "George Washington" because there was no audio equipment back then and none of us can relate. If you're going to give an example, cite someone we could listen to and evaluate for ourselves.

For me, its probably Malcolm X for number two, and I can't think of anyone for number one.

Malcolm X was eloquent and can spark a fire in me. That's what I like about him.

 

[Hankaveli]

I would have to Concur with the Malcolm X, And also Tupac and if you let his Songs count then he would replace Malcolm for me.

Tupac was something of a Role modle for me, if it was not for haveing his voice in my life I would be alot diffrent and intellectually worse off.

 

[Amara]

1. I would say Kenneth Waltz... he has written mainly on international politics from the structural point of view. His post-Cold War works changed my perspectives on things. I understand war and competition better for his writings. He doesn't legitimise the idea, but he makes it understandable, even inevitable.

2. As for speakers... maybe Martin Luther King or Kofi Annan or Nelson Mandela, people who have/had a vision of a better world and speak with such passion, you cannot help but feel it is possible and more than that - they make you want to set and achieve your goals, visions and ideas for a more just and equitable world.

 

[groobz]

Obviously not the greatest, but Donald Rumsfeld is probably the best political speaker around the last 30 odd years. Download Frontlines - Rumsfelds War, a really good documentry on rumsfeld, it shows you how he manages to confront a room full of attacking journo's and have them laughing and happy by the end.

 

[Zero Cool]

Hitler and Mussolini.

 

[2pacalypse Now]

speech giver - yeah malcolm x is really impressive but that might also be because i agree with his cause. as far as ppl who i dont agree with their causes Hitler would have to be one of the best. I also have to say Tony Blair isnt too bad, not in that he is electrifying but he can twist things and present them in a good light.

writer - Noam chomsky, he backs everythin he says with so many facts you cant ignore the truth

 

[HitEmUp21]

From what I have read, not too extensively, but I would have to say Noam Chomsky. As far as speakers go, I really have no idea, if you are even slightly articulate, you can pretty easily persuade me.

 

[one mc on dj]

naaaaaaaaaaaah fuck it the one I mentioned was not great...

 

[S O F I]

Hitler and Mussolini.

:thumb: :thumb:

 

[Illuminattile]

Hitler is definitely the best speech giver I can think of. He could, allegedly, bring women to orgasm with his speeches.

 

[radkin]

Winston churchill as a great speaker, I think being british helps but he was definatley one of the most inspiring speakers

"We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965) R.I.P

 

[Morris]

I'd place Churchill more in the writer than speaker category.

A lot of people have already said Hitler for speech giver. Hard to argue with that.

For writer, I'd go with Abraham Lincoln. If anything, it's remarkable the sentiments and persuasive elements that he could get down in his speeches in so few words. The two most influential American speeches in the last 200 years, the Gettysburg Address and his 2nd Inaugural, combined equal less than 1,000 words. And all of that was self taught.

 

[Kareem]

Hitler and Mussolini.

i also agree, think anyone who can convince a entire nation to put their trust in him an make them believe what he's doing is right has to be a pretty good speaker.

 

[ARon]

Easily Hitler for speaker.


But for writer, I might sound dumb for a second.
Who authored the bible?

 

[Morris]

A whole hell of a lot of people authored the Bible.

 

[Cooper]

2 hitler

and im thinkin maybe churchill for 1

 

[CalcuoCuchicheo]

Writing-wise? I can't think of anyone. I think it's very difficult to be persuaded with the written word - particularly when compared with the spoken word.

The greatest speaker I've heard is Martin Luther King. The passion is there, the content & delivery is there, the righteousness &, with hindsight playing a part, the aura.

I can see how Hitler is a choice for some. I refuse to choose him as I can't understand what he's saying so, looking at it from a personal point of view, he is far from persuavive to me. However, when watching footage, the reaction of the crowds is impressive.

Another speaker who speaks in a foreign language but impresses me nonetheless is Fidel Castro. He, like MLK, has a sense of passion & righteousness to him. Also, the history behind his rise is always in my mind.

Amara, while I can see the merits of Mandela, when listening to him don't you hear the voice of an over-hyped, hypocrite of a man?

And Aristotle, the many elitist men who authored the Bible where not great persuavive writers, at best they could be called great storytellers. The persuaviveness of the Bible comes from the reader himself - who wishes to be persuaded.

 

[Morris]

MLK is a really good pick, especially if we're going based on English.

 

[Rukas]

The most persuasive speaker in history was definitly Hitler. He persuaded people to do the unthinkable.

 

[Kosen]

MLK.. actually.. i havent seen much footage of other speakers. Ive seen a few clips.. but MLK during the Dream speech was increidble..