A Dinner for the Ages: Who you got?

‘The Last Supper’ by Leaonardo Da Vinci

The right hypothetical could spark the best conversation. Hypotheticals can be funny, thought-provoking, or just plain silly. No matter the question, though, you seem to learn a little bit about the person who answers. Maybe it’s the way they solve problems, where their passions and interests lie, or a bit about where they come from.

“If you could have dinner with any 5 people in history, and translation would not be an issue, who would you invite and why?”

I absolutely love this question. What direction would you take the conversation at dinner? The food will be great, but what about the company?

Now before I list out my starting five, who you got?

Give it some thought…

Alright, here we go.

My Five Guests Would Be:

1. Jesus Christ

In my opinion, there is no more historically significant human being than Jesus Christ (If you disagree, please share below who and how. Happy to debate!) I say this not as a Catholic, but as a student of history. Who, even 2,000 years after his death, has 1/3 of the world’s population following and striving to live up to his teachings each day. Teachings and beliefs that have led to global expansion, the creation of new countries, unity amongst masses, but also wars, political tension, and a basis for dispersion?

2. Abraham Lincoln

On the Books to Read (Photo Source)

While Abraham Lincoln did not inspire the creation of a new religion like #1 on this list, he did change the course of American history, and, arguably, the world. President Lincoln has always fascinated me. Hell I even wrote about him over 6 years ago when living in Switzerland playing pro vball. Born to a simple home in Hedgenville, Kentucky, Lincoln grew to be a man famous for the Emancipation Proclamation, Civil War, Gettysburg Address, his assasination, and so much more. Abraham Lincoln deserves his own blogpost at a later date on Quattruo. The man is a legend. I plan on reading Team of Rivals in the next few months, so will write my future entry after that’s been done (and this dinner in case I learn anything new).

3. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. (Photo source)

The most visible leader of the Civil Rights Movement, MLK personifies courage, brilliance, strength, and leadership. I am sure I would be mesmorized at hearing the Minister speak, and moved to tears when I inform him that we had an African American president lead this country 40 years after his last speech. I’d love to hear more about his inspiration from Ghandi’s teachings? What went into the ‘I Had a Dream Speech’? Would he have done anything different? After giving him an update of where we are, what are his thoughts on the world today?

4. Michelle Obama

Speaking of Barack, I am inviting the former First Lady of the US to dinner. Her charisma, leadership, ingenuity, intelligence, and straight up power in today’s world would add the modern expertise to compliment minds from times past. I’m saying this about a crew that has three men who have changed the world. I want to hear from the woman who *is changing* the lives of so many. To me, Michelle epitomizes ‘Success’, and I get the inkling her work has just begun.

Michelle Obama preaching. (Source)

5. Leonardo da Vinci

The Renaissance Man. Sculptor. Astronomer. Painter. Historian. Inventor. Scientist. Leo did it all. When I think of art, I think of da Vinci. The impact he has had on both the arts and sciences makes him one of the most important figures in the history of humankind. Did he feel out of place? Was he a man ahead of his time? I would be intrigued to hear about his personal life. How did he find the time to do so much? He may not have had the religious and political impact of the other 4, but as one of the greatest minds in our history, I’d be fascinated to see how his brain worked, as well as what he thinks about where we are today; I have a feeling he won’t be too surprised by it all.

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The answers have varied tremendously depending on who I ask.

• Great minds of today and what they think of the future (Musk, Merkel, Barack)
• Family members gone to soon to learn more of their family (deceased grandparent, parent, modern day person)
• Terrible rulers of the past, to know if they were in fact merciless, or simply knew what it would take to align the masses (Stalin, Hitler, Mao)
• Comedians to laugh all night (Tina Fey, Robin Williams, Dave Chapelle)
• Athletes (Ali, Serena, Jordan)

Each of these choices says something about the person hosting this hypothetical dinner. My five came to mind because of their impact on history, and the connections they would have to one another. Jesus (religion, teachings, altering history) -> Abraham Lincoln (great US leader who became president during one of the toughest periods in our country’s history when aiming to end slavery) -> MLK (minister preaching Jesus’s teachings and leading the fight for Civil Rights. Imagine Lincoln listening to what MLK did) -> Michelle Obama (First Lady of the US. Powerful voice for women. MLK’s connection to Michelle. Lincoln’s as well). Three of the five members were assasinated because of what they stood for. Was it worth it in their minds? Michelle can be considered the embodiment of why it was, which gives me chills.

Leo is the wild card, but I do feel that the science side of the brain will intrigue and fascinate the rest of the group and trigger conversations I may not have expected. Leo, and the other 4 dinner guests, all were/are aiming to create a world that is different from the one they lived in. The original ‘Renaissance Man’ was able to create that which didn’t exist. One additional reason to invite da Vinci: you better believe I’m asking him to make a sketch of this epic dinner for me to frame and hang on my wall.

I’d be very curious to hear your five, and short (or long) blurbs as to why. Leave in the comments below, or let’s go for coffee or beer when we get the chance. We can leave the full 5 course meal for when we round up 3 others.