If you only live once, then why is it that only twenty or thirty people out of that century are remembered?

Question

I mean, there are so many average joes out there that save someones life or maybe created a cure for cancer, but instead we remember how many home runs Babe Ruth had.

Answer 1

It is very obvious that there is a huge stress put on entertainment in many countries. Let's take America as an example. It is so important for people to have their comfort that it has become their main concern. Look at American Idol. People spend so much time worrying about this come-from-nowhere singer whose father may or may not have been to jail once for petty theft that there is no time left to learn about what is going on in the world. All of those important figures who find cures to diseases or risk their lives in the line of duty (firemen and policemen, for starters) never seem as important as Britney's marital problems. This world needs a makeover.

Answer 2

Dude. I must take issue with your premise.
You only remember 20 or 30 people from the entire 20th Century? Are you okay, man? Brain damage or thalmus injury or chemical dependance? There were more people than that in my first grade.
Seriously, people remember the things that interest them. Scientists remember who came up with the vaccine that cured stupidity. Athletes remember the first man to run a mile in under 13 seconds. Historians remember everybody, but then they're wierd, aren't they?
See, with the advent of electronic data storage in the later half of the last century, the intimate details of millions upon millions of people are preserved. You would be amazed (if not apalled) to discover just how much information about you is available on-line, or in supposedly "secure" databases being lugged around by lazy bureaucrats.
True, preserved is not the same as remembered, of course. But for those who care, the real information is available to them. This was not true 100 or 200 years ago.
So while the talking heads on The Best Damn Sports Show Period may wax rhapsodic over The Babe's big stick, the gleeps at 60 Minutes will still ponder the accomplishments of Jonas Salk.
Cheers.

Answer 3

Because there are more selfish people in this world who care about their entertainment like watching Babe Ruth get homeruns then the fact that many people's lives are being saved by the cure for cancer.

Well, I hate baseball. I admit, I can be selfish. but I definitely notice those who save lives and cure cancer. ♥ good job to them.

Answer 4

Amazing isn't it how only a few chosen are picked out of the millions for something as meaningless as home runs. We really do have our priorities in the wrong order.

Answer 5

If someone finds a cure for cancer, I am sure they will be remembered.

Answer 6

Living it up and being famous are two different things. There are a lot of people who live life to the fullest and yet do not seek notoriety.

Answer 7

Yeah I dont know thats a Really good Question though it really makes you think

Answer 8

Because they did outstanding things.

Answer 9

I'm with coolchick.

LC

Answer 10

what