Ok, this is insane because basically everyone that isn’t me fascinates me. In terms of public figures, I would say the most interesting would be Fidel Castro, Markus Zusak, Adolf Hitler and Marie Curie. Stereotypical, right?
Firstly Fidel Castro is a big hero of mine, though that particular view has gotten some weird looks from people many a time. People seem to venerate Che Guevarra (mostly for some sort of cool factor) and push aside Castro, though their efforts in liberating Cuba from dictator and all-round bastard, Fulgencio Batista, were joint. Castro became disillusioned with the way Batista had assumed power and his new political stance, so rather than proceed with his law practice job, he joined an underground group of rebels and a revolution begun. He was born to wealth, he had a wife and a close enough comaraderie with Batista that he received $1000 on his wedding night – most likely a signal of more benefits to come. Instead of exploiting his position within society, he lead an attack (on the Moncada Barracks, for anyone who gives a crap) that landed him a fifteen-year prison sentence. Castro was granted freedom two years after his sentence was declared and exiled to Mexico. He didn’t give up on his country, he didn’t take his freedom and relish in any sort of egocentric ‘lucky me’ parade, instead he joined forces with young Ernesto Guevarra. I won’t labour you with the intricacies – the Battle of La Plata, Operation Verano, the Battle of Yaguajay etc. – suffice it to say that Che and Fidel’s forces destroyed Batista’s army, forcing him out of power and freeing Cuba from a corrupt government’s clutches. Castro was 32 years old. I dare you to ask any 32 year old what the hell they’ve done with their life. Castro dealt with so much economical, political, personal bullshit after finally being sworn in as Prime Minister in 1959. He created Cuba into a functioning economy within itself, particularly after the big hit that was the U.S Trade Embargo. For all of the reasons above, I admire Fidel Castro. He fascinates me endlessly and I would have loved to have met him in his younger revolutionary days.
That went for longer than expected, so I’m going to go ahead and segue straight to Markus Zusak. Not only is this man my favourite author, he is another hero of mine. His mind is incredible, his genius unfathomable. If after reading any single one of his books you don’t feel changed, let me know so we can discuss your brain situation. I know I sound like an infomercial, but I can’t help but pour out my admiration in terms of endearing praise. The way he creates his characters, and the way he delivers subtle yet powerful social commentaries, is nothing short of brilliant. To have a mind anywhere near as impressive as Markus Zusak’s would be amazing, to be able to write novels that actually evoke epiphanies and life-altering notions must be bloody glorious. Sorry if my adoration came out in some sort of unintelligible girl-babble, it’s safe to say Markus Zusak fascinates the shit out of me and I plan on somehow tracking him down for interview next year.
Adolf Hitler fascinates me for a number of reasons. By saying this, I’m of course not condoning anything about his actions or his views – if anything I’m endorsing the opposite. He fascinates me because it’s almost hard to believe such a morally depraved, socially weak and personally corrupt man could gain as much power as he did – and it all boiled down to the power of speech. The only way he was smart – a perverted, anti-patriotic, sinister kind of smart – was that he recognised that Germany/Austria was so desperately seeking leadership that they’d follow anyone who showed the tiniest ounce of control. What he chose to do with that control was obviously lowly, disturbing and a gross overcompensation for a small dick – I’m sorry, but that’s what most male power issues are the result of, some sort of deficiency in their mind and their pants. The fact that he turned millions of people against entire races, entire sub-cultures, and entire groups of people is either a mark of his powers of speech, or a mark of how desperate the German & Austrian people were to become some sort of super-race. Hitler was a mass murderer – somehow that term seems too inconsequential for what he did – and many other words that I won’t write here, he was a fantastic manipulator, and a master of speech. For these reasons, I find him to be quite fascinating.
Lastly is Marie Curie. Madame Curie pioneered world-changing theories and practices in the field of radioactivity. She also discovered the two elements polonium and radium. Considering she was born in 1867, when women were expected to fulfill their expected roles, and female scientists were relatively unheard of, she was a particularly incredible individual. She was one of the only four people to win two Nobel prizes, she was the first female professor at the University of Paris, and her discoveries in the field of X-Rays saved countless lives of soldiers in World War I. Curie was an utterly amazing woman, I love that she had the courage to defy stereotypes, the brains to not let expectations oppress her genius. If a woman could do such astonishing things in a period of time heavy with patriarchal expectations, then imagine what women these days can do, considering they basically have all the freedom in the world?
That was a long post, but I tried to shorten it as much as possible! All apologies, folks.
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