A modern philosopher

The great era of the popular philosopher is far gone.  Who do we have that has the ideals, the ideas, and the impact of Socrates? Not many, perhaps none. We've left our philosophy to the academics.

But I'd like to nominate one among us, still living, who I think fulfills all that a philosopher should be.  He has created powerful new ideas about a subject that did not exist in ancient Greece, but is a major force in modern society.  He's pursued those ideas for a lifetime, constantly forgoing material reward for the sake of fighting for those ideals.  He is unwavering and uncompromising, and is subsequently widely disparaged by his colleagues.  And he's undoubtedly changed the world already.

Best of all, he even has a beard.

Have you guessed who it is yet?

I'll reveal the answer in my next post.