How does Richmond define “powerful”?

Style Weekly has published their annual Power List, getting people in a huff all over the place. We joke about how it’s just the rich people in town, and the MashUp folks interpret it as a list of people who Style thinks are “influential or cool or something like that.” But nowhere does Style really […]

July 23, 2008; 4:44 PM • by Susan Howson

Style Weekly has published their annual Power List, getting people in a huff all over the place.

We joke about how it’s just the rich people in town, and the MashUp folks interpret it as a list of people who Style thinks are “influential or cool or something like that.” But nowhere does Style really define “power” or how they rate folks (unless I’m missing it), so maybe the reason everyone’s panties are in a bunch (including mine) (NOT LITERALLY) is that we’re expecting different things from this list because of what the word “power” means to us?

Therefore, let’s hear some answers to the following questions:

What does “powerful” mean to you, Richmonder? I think it’s important to note that Style didn’t try to pretend they were publishing a “List of Supercool RVA Citizens Who Do Neat Things.” They specifically say “powerful,” not “creative,” but what kind of power are we talking about here?

How do you think this city in general defines it? And do you think that it’s different from how you personally do?

What would be your criteria when assigning someone a number that gauges their Greater Richmond Metro Area power? Or power in any city, for that matter. How would you weight the categories?

Just curious…discuss!

Or watch this!