by Elizabeth Sy at mediamass.net
According to a well-placed source, Alibaba’s founder Jack Ma is leading the race to become Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2024. But while the business man’s fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.
UPDATE 27/03/2024 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Why not Ma for Person of the Year?
The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 59-year-old business man, as a 2024 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.
“What makes Ma so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the business man have already been named ‘Chinese Of The Year’ by some major Chinese newspapers and even ‘Hangzhou Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Hangzhou (Jack Ma’s hometown).
Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year
A representative for the business man was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:
“#MaPOY. Logical choice though I wouldn’t have made the same one.”
— @TomMiller, 26 Mar 2024
“Congrats! Jack has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 26 Mar 2024
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler … then why not Jack Ma?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 26 Mar 2024
Could 2024 officially be the Year of Jack Ma?
Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2024 Person of the Year.