The PotY was ruined in 2001 when they didn't name bin Laden. They totally jumped the shark when they named "You" with a little mirror in 2006.
Before that it was never treated as an award, it was meant to name the biggest newsmaker that year. That's why Hitler "won", why Stalin was named MAN of the Year twice.
Winner of US Presidential election? Automatic POTY. New Pope? Automatic POTY.
Before 2001 it was very rare to see something other than a specific person named. Sure you had the occasional The Peacemakers, The Endangered Earth, The Computer, American women, etc but those were the exceptions. Last decade Zuck, Merkel & Greta were the only non-POTUS/new Pope individuals named.
Assange absolutely should have been named in 2010, not because of some popularity contest but he was by far the biggest newsmaker that year.
The PotY was ruined in 2001 when they didn't name bin Laden. They totally jumped the shark when they named "You" with a little mirror in 2006.
Before that it was never treated as an award, it was meant to name the biggest newsmaker that year. That's why Hitler "won", why Stalin was named MAN of the Year twice.
Winner of US Presidential election? Automatic POTY. New Pope? Automatic POTY.
Before 2001 it was very rare to see something other than a specific person named. Sure you had the occasional The Peacemakers, The Endangered Earth, The Computer, American women, etc but those were the exceptions. Last decade Zuck, Merkel & Greta were the only non-POTUS/new Pope individuals named.
Assange absolutely should have been named in 2010, not because of some popularity contest but he was by far the biggest newsmaker that year.