Entertaining ourselves back to life

Explore some of the following legends, then discuss with your team: why do such stories have such appeal? What political developments in today’s world might have similar causes?

• Richard the Lionheart

• Jesus

• Yudhishthira

• Horus

• Charles II

Look into the following figures whose careers took off post-exile, then discuss with your team: why was their second wind better than their first? Can you think of other examples of individuals, like Napoleon, who attempted a comeback—but failed spectacularly?

• Jimmy Carter

• Dante

• Friedrich Engels

• Leon Trotsky

• Albert Einstein

Consider the other now-famous dead people below and discuss with your team: what is the best way to reignite someone’s legacy? Vincent van Gogh, for instance, only became famous after his death thanks to the people in his life. Should we focus more on studying the works of those who are still alive, or does a creator’s death make their creations more interesting in some way?

• Gregor Mendel

• Anne Frank

• Alfred Wegener

• Franz Kafka

• Emily Dickinson

Reflect on the following influential thinkers whose ideas sparked significant change, then discuss with your team: how do their philosophies continue to resonate today? Are there current movements that echo their thoughts and ideals?

• Karl Marx

• Confucius

• Friedrich Nietzsche

• John Stuart Mill

• Simone de Beauvoir

Analyze the following historical figures who faced significant challenges during their careers, then discuss with your team: what strategies did they employ to overcome adversity? Can you identify modern leaders who have faced similar obstacles?

• Rosa Parks

• Martin Luther King Jr.

• Malala Yousafzai

• Winston Churchill

• Nelson Mandela

Examine the contributions of the following scientists whose discoveries changed the course of history, then discuss with your team: how do their findings influence contemporary science? Are there current scientific debates that reflect their work?

• Isaac Newton

• Galileo Galilei

• Marie Curie

• Albert Einstein

• Charles Darwin

Investigate the following cultural icons and their impact on society, then discuss with your team: what elements of their work continue to inspire new generations? Are there current artists or thinkers who embody their spirit?

• Frida Kahlo

• Leonardo da Vinci

• William Shakespeare

• Virginia Woolf

• Bob Dylan

Investigate the following political leaders who experienced significant shifts in their careers, then discuss with your team: what factors contributed to their resurgence in power? Can you think of contemporary figures who have similarly navigated political comebacks?

• Barack Obama

• George W. Bush

• Margaret Thatcher

• Bill Clinton

• Richard Nixon

Explore the following mythological figures, then discuss with your team: what themes in their stories resonate with modern audiences? Are there current narratives that reflect similar archetypes?

• Achilles

• Hercules

• Persephone

• Thor

• Odysseus

Reflect on the following influential artists whose works have left a lasting impact, then discuss with your team: how do their styles continue to influence contemporary art? Are there emerging artists who draw inspiration from their legacies?

• Jackson Pollock

• Vincent van Gogh

• Pablo Picasso

• Georgia O'Keeffe

• Andy Warhol