Topping runners-up like Paul Ryan, Kate Middleton, and William McRaven, “The Protester” has been awarded the annual Time magazine honor. “‘Massive and effective street protest’ was a global oxymoron until — suddenly, shockingly — starting exactly a year ago, it became the defining trope of our times. And the protester once again became a maker of history,” writes Kurt Andersen in the cover story. The Protester joins the wild ranks of Adolf Hitler, two-time winner Joseph Stalin, and Newt Gingrich, but more accurately fits in with cop-out or non-human Person of the Year winners like “The Endangered Earth,” “You,” and Mark Zuckerberg “The Computer.” This time, the honor formerly known as Man of the Year allows the magazine to touch on the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street, but also leaves room for a dog story and a slideshow of Kate Middleton’s Best Fashion Moments.
