How to measure a person’s power? In a world in which we have inexpensive tools to reach billions, it may seem that the globe truly is flat, and we’re all on an even playing field. But a few exemplary individuals manage to influence the way others live -- either through their public personas, politics, or wealth -- and affect cultural and social attitudes.

1. Tim Cook

CEO, Apple, 51

2. Ellen Degeneres

Spokesperson/Talk-Show Host/Producer, 54

3. Peter Thiel

Venture Capitalist/Hedge Fund Manager, 44

4. Ryan Murphy

Writer/Director/Producer, 46

5. Rachel Maddow

TV Host/Political Commentator, 39

6. Anderson Cooper

Journalist/News Anchor/Talk-Show Host, 44

7. Rich Ross

Former Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios, 49

8. Barry Diller

Chairman, IAC, 70

9. Shepard Smith

News Anchor, 48

10. Andy Cohen

TV Personality/Impresario, 44

SLIDESHOW: View the Top 10 on the Power List

11. Neil Patrick Harris

Actor, 38

12. Tammy Baldwin

U.S. Representative, Wisconsin, 50

David Cicilline

U.S. Representative, Rhode Island, 50

Jared Polis

U.S. Representative, Colorado, 36

13. Scott Rudin

Film and Theater Producer, 53

14. Marc Jacobs

Fashion Designer, 49

15. Harvey Levin

TV Producer/TMZ Founder, 61

16. Matt Drudge

Blogger, 45

17. Chris Hughes

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, The New Republic, 28

18. Anthony Romero

Executive Director, ACLU, 46

19. David Geffen

Media Mogul, 69

20. Chad Griffin

Incoming President, HRC, 38

21. Barney Frank

U.S. Representative, Masschusetts, 72

22. Jann Wenner

Publishing Magnate, 66

23. Tim Gill

Software Pioneer/Philanthropist, 58

24. Christine Quinn

New York City Council Speaker, 45

25. Suze Orman

Financial adviser/Talk-show host, 60

26. Tom Ford

Fashion Designer/Film Director, 50

27. Ken Melhman

Businessman, 45

28. Andrew Sullivan

Journalist/Blogger, 48

29. Annise Parker

Mayor of Houston

30. Bryan Lourd & Kevin Huvane

Managing Partners, CAA, 52 & 53

31. Martha Nelson

Editorial Director, Time Inc., 59

32. Chuck Wolfe

CEO, The Victory Fund, 50

33. Mary Kay Henry

International President, SEIU, 53

34. Joe Solmonese

Political Consultant, 47

35. Jeremy Bernard

White House Social Secretary, 50

36. Nick Denton

CEO, Gawker Media, 45

37. Alan Ball

Screenwriter/Producer/Director, 54

38. Richard Berke

Assistant Managing Editor, The New York Times, 53

39. Perez Hilton

Blogger/TV personality, 34

40. Jess Cagle

Managing Editor, Entertainment Weekly, 46

Ariel Foxman

Managing Editor, InStyle, 38

Adam Moss

Editor-in-chief, New York, 54

41. Jenna Lyons

President and Executive Creative Director, J. Crew, 44

42. Adam Rose

CoPresident, Rose Associates, Inc., 52

43. Greg Berlanti

TV Producer/Writer, 39

44. Bryan Singer

Director/Producer, 46

45. Megan Smith

Google Executive

46. Simon Halls & Stephen Huvane

Founders, Slate PR, 48, 51

47. Jane Lynch

Actress

48. Dan Savage

Editor/Activist/TV Personality, 47

49. Robert Hanson

CEO, American Eagle Outfitters, 49

50. Evan Wolfson

Founder and President, Freedom to Marry, 55

51. Andre Banks

Cofounder, Executive Director, AllOut.org

52. Bryce Bennett

Montana State Representative

53. Widney Brown

Senior Director, Amnesty International

54. Chai Feldblum

Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner

55. Bruce Harris

New Jersey Supreme Court Nominee

56. Victoria Kolakowski

California Superior Court Judge

57. Steven Kolb

Executive director, CFDA

58. Don Lemon

CNN News Anchor

59. Mark Leno

California State Senator

60. Jonathan Murray

Cofounder/Chairman, Bunim/Murray Productions

61. Beth Robinson

Vermont State Supreme Court Justice

62. Hilary Rosen

CNN Contributor, Democratic Strategist

63. Brad Sears

Executive Director, The Williams Institute

64. Andy Thayer

Cofounder, Gay Liberation Network

65. Michael Weinstein

President, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

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