GQ is primarily known for features like “Men of the Year”, “Sexiest Women of the Year”, and the “Lust List” among others. Recently, we showed you the hottest female celebrities attending GQ’s Men of the Year party. Now, the men’s mag has released its list of “The 25 Least Influential People of 2012“.

“Influential” is a tricky word. Just look at its definition – “Having great influence on someone or something.” What’s influence? “The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.” Then, you have its synonyms – powerful, important, weighty.

In looking at this list, one can’t help but think that some of these well-known celebrities most definitely had an effect on people. One could even argue that since they’re able to alter the masses, that they’re powerful and important for better or worse.

Mitt Romney? He only lost the popular vote by 1-2 million votes.

Gotye? He has one of the most viewed videos online, inspiring and motivating thousands of spoofs, parodies, and knock-offs.

Gregg Williams? He forced us to raise the question about bounties, head hunting, and ultimately concussions.

Adam Sandler? Well… he’s convinced Hollywood that they can continue to put out crap and people will lap it up.

Amanda Bynes? The more wrongdoing and reckless behavior I see or read about, the more I get turned on. Okay, that’s a bad example. (But, if you think tweens aren’t seeing their idol and trying to wild out just like her, you’re chock full ‘o nuts.)

These people don’t have any effect on society, on our culture? True, the majority of these figures aren’t likable and some of their actions are annoying or embarrassing or dishonorable. But they provoked reaction one way or another. If anything, they’ve influenced us to NOT follow in their footsteps.

I guess it really comes down to semantics. One can’t say LEAST influential when they’ve modified the mood of so many in a positive or negative way. If anything, add in a “Liked” after “Least” – some kind of qualifier that doesn’t downplay their contributions – albeit poor, unsavory, and wretched.

The message here should be one on par with a history lesson: Hitler was incredibly influential in Germany, forever changing the landscape of the world. Millions upon millions of people followed him (and still do to this day). Is he least influential? Unfortunately, he was important to the development of Germany, the US, and the world. Sucks, but we can’t ignore the bad because oftentimes it leads to good.

Am I insinuating that Ryan Lochte is Hitler? Yes… yes, I am.

I understand why they selected the personalitites they did. They wanted to elicit reaction and create buzz. That’s what magazines do. I’m blogging about it, so mission accomplished. But, in my mind, for my money, least influential = impotence. Who’s well known that doesn’t garner a response, a reaction, or any change? Who’s someone that says something that falls on deaf ears? … Besides me. That’s your list right there.

***

Neal is the Editor of Dailymotion’s Sports, Comedy, and Viral Channels.