Power shifts, flows, recombines—and so too does Vanity Fair’s annual ranking of tech moguls, tastemakers, financial wizards, and cultural icons. After 25 years, we’ve divided our traditional list into 10 groups of 10, illuminating more tribal aspects of the influence networks that define our world. Of course, modern power, catalyzed by technology, tends to transcend its categories. The Obamas have a Netflix deal. Rihanna is building a billion-dollar beauty empire. Elon Musk wants to colonize Mars. And Jeff Bezos is disrupting Hollywood.
This year has also been notable for the Establishment’s conspicuous failings. In Silicon Valley, the #MeToo movement, and the Jeffrey Epstein saga, we find glaring indictments of ruling-class values. There’s nothing more fascinating than power—and nothing more dangerous.