Thursday, February 16, 2006,5:06 PM
New Seven Wonders
So there is this movement to name seven official new wonders of the world. Of the Seven Ancient Wonders only the Pyramids are still in existence. This group has been working for the last six years to make a list of what could be considered present wonders of the world. They now have 21 finalists. In my opinion, some are obvious (like the Great wall of China), others (like Stonehenge or Easter Island) are more mysteries than wonders, and others (Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty) are more cultural icons. Before the final seven are chosen there will be tv specials on all 21 (great fun for us history buffs). The public is being asked to vote for the final seven. The catch is right now you have to vote by phone by calling an international number (stinks for those of us who don't have international calling on our phones), but they are considering adding other national numbers. I think the whole thing is pretty cool. You can see the final lists at their site here

Update - you can now vote online
Technorati Tags:

Labels:

 
posted by Julie at 5:06 PM ¤ Permalink ¤


8 Comments:


  • At 2/16/2006 09:28:00 PM, Blogger Charlotte Wyncoop

    1) Great Wall
    2) Pyramids
    3) Chichen Itza
    4) Petra, Jordan
    5) Angkor Cambodia
    6) Timbuktu, Mali
    7) one not here, that I think should be is Amundsen-Scott South Pole Base

    Am I counting wrong, or are a good half of these temples of one form or another? Two military structures (the Wall and Alhambra castle)? Two mausoleums (Pyramids and Taj Mahal)? Three symbolic representations of an ideal (liberty, revolution, christ)? Four cities (Angkor and Timbuktu, Chichen Itza and Petra)? One Roman SuperDome (Colosseum)? Okay, six temples (Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, St.Basil, Kiyomizu, Hagia Sophia, and the Acropolis). Wow, I googled these and they are incredible. Okay maybe Antarica base doesn't quite cut it.
    Just...WOW!

     

  • At 2/16/2006 10:35:00 PM, Blogger Julie

    Let's see my votes were for -
    1. Great wall
    2. Pyramids
    3. Angkor
    4. Christ Redeemer
    5. Taj mahal
    6. Neuschwanstein Castle
    7. Chichen Itza

     

  • At 2/17/2006 04:23:00 AM, Blogger Charlotte Wyncoop

    Do you ever wonder if the age of architectual wonder is at an end? I don't consider any modern architecture worthy campared to the great architecture of the past. Sydney Opera House is beautiful outside, but is it as glorious inside?

    Is it good or bad that we've decentralized our wealth sufficiently to make these extremely beautiful artistic creations unlikely to be equaled? Or is this just the pessimist inside talking?

     

  • At 2/17/2006 07:31:00 AM, Blogger gerbmom

    Don't you feel like they threw the Statue of Liberty in there just so the U.S. wouldn't whine.....?

    1. Great Wall
    2. Pyramids
    3. Christ Redeemer
    4. Petra
    5. Machu Picchu
    6.Chichen Itza
    7. Taj Mahal

     

  • At 2/17/2006 12:05:00 PM, Blogger Mike Clawson

    I think Chichen Itza (the pyramid - not the whole site) counts as a temple too. But is Machu Picchu a temple? I thought it was a ruined city?

    The idea is great man-made architecture and sculptures, so I don't think the South Pole Base would qualify. That's more of an accomplishment than a structure. I'm surprised though that Mt. Rushmore didn't make the final 21. Maybe 'cuz it's too political?

    Here are my top 7:
    1. The Great Wall
    2. Pyramids at Giza
    3. Chichen Itza*
    4. Christ Redeemer
    5. Stonehenge*
    6. Taj Mahal
    7. Statue of Liberty

    * - The starred ones are places I've actually been to. Of the top 21 I've also been to Neuschwanstein, the Colosseum, and the Eiffel Tower.

     

  • At 2/17/2006 12:17:00 PM, Blogger Julie

    ha Mike I got you beat - I've been to six. Chichen Itza, Eiffel Tower, Stonehenge, Neuschwanstein, the Colosseum, and St. Basil's. As for modern stuff I would add the Sagrida Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. It's amazing. Granted its been under construction for the last 100 years and still isn't done - but its realy cool. When we were there in 2000 you couldn't even go inside, but by 04 it was partially open.

     

  • At 2/19/2006 12:40:00 AM, Blogger Charlotte Wyncoop

    That's the weird one in Spain, right? Bizarre weird... I'd put it in the top seven definitely.

    Mike, Nat Geo said in an article that they thought it was a religious site because of the difficulty gaining access to basic necessities. Can't find the article or I'd give you more info.

    I've seen exactly one - Kyoto's Golden Pavilion and temple grounds, although I find the castle in Kyoto and the Nara Temple far more incredible.

    So are these like the Tower of Babel or not?

     

  • At 2/19/2006 07:53:00 PM, Blogger Julie

    So if the point of the Tower of Babel was to reach god - to show man's ability over god - I'm not sure these are quite the same. Perhaps naming them as such counts. But cathedrals and the christ statue were in some ways made for the glory of god. Other cultures/religious places... I'm not sure, but it doesn't have the same feel.

     
Post a Comment ~ back home
--------------