Time 100: Anonymous gets a nod, thanks to you

Time magazine has released its list of 100 most influential people for 2012. It’s hardly surprising to see a few tech faces on the list given the all-pervasive role it plays in our lives. What’s pretty interesting is that Anonymous made this list even though the list is technically for most influential people not groups. But yay for you Anonymous.

Time published its annual list Wednesday, highlighting an interesting mix of personalities, ranging from the rich and powerful, such as financier Warren Buffett and United States leader Barack Obama to innovators and gamer-changers such as, founder of Change.org, Ben Rattray and AIDS Researcher Robert Grant.

According to Time Managing Editor Rick Stengel, “The TIME 100 list is about the infinite possibilities of influence and the power of influence to change the world…. Now [one] can tweet a phrase that reaches millions in a flash. Influence was never easier—or more ephemeral. Which is why we try to choose those people whose influence is both lasting and, with a few notable exceptions, laudable.”

This year’s list features 38 women, more than ever before.

The controversial hacktivist group won the TIME.com TIME 100 poll. The collective received more than 395 000 “Yes” votes. As winner of the poll, which earned them a spot on the list.

Tech world personalities that made this year’s list include:

Mashable founder, Pete Cashmore.

Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook.

Spotify founder, Daniel Ek.

IMB CEO, Virginia Rometty.

General Manager of Reddit, Erik Martin.

Roboticist, Henrik Schärfe.