Posted on by karan

New 7 Wonders looking a little shaky already

07/07/07 was a cute date to pick to release a list of the “New 7 Wonders”, to update the list from the wonders of the Ancient (Greecian) World, as voted by an internet poll (can you say “donkey vote”?). The List is:

  • Great Wall of China
  • Taj Mahal
  • The ruins of Petra in Jordan
  • The Colosseum in Rome
  • The statue of Christ overlooking Rio de Janeiro
  • The Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru
  • The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico

Point the first: The “ancient” Mayan city? Should that not disqualify it immediately?!

Point the second: The “ruins” of Petra and Machu Picchu?! Oh, I’m suuuuuuuure they’re all well and good, pretty places that were once-upon-a-time wonders, but that doesn’t exactly qualify as a “wonder” now. Oh look, here is where they sacrificed virgins to their gods. Just imagine it, don’t mind the fact that it’s a pile of rubble now.

For what it’s worth, here’s the list I always grew up thinking was the list of wonders around now:

  • Eiffel Tower (late 19th century)
  • Statue of Liberty (mid 19th century)
  • Leaning Tower of Pisa (middle ages)
  • Taj Mahal (middle ages)
  • The Pyramids & the Sphinx (yes ok ancient)
  • Great Wall of China (early-middle ages)
  • …

Err… I’ll be honest. I couldn’t ever name the last one in the list, so my 7 were always incomplete – I always thought it was just out of the corner of my eye, metaphorically speaking, and that the 8th should/would be the Sydney Opera House (even on a world scale, it is gorgeous like you wouldn’t believe). So, what’s the 7th shortlist? I thought…

  • The Colosseum (yes ok ancient)
  • Stonehenge (yes ok ancient, very)
  • Big Ben? (19th century?)
  • Golden Gate Bridge? (20th century?)
  • Hoover Dam? (20th century)

Your suggestions?

5 Replies to “New 7 Wonders looking a little shaky already”

  1. I don’t think the leaning tower should be a wonder, and the Eiffel Tower even less.

    Hoover Dam I believe should be one and the statue of Christ as well.

    So my seven (in order of preference):

    1. Great Wall
    2. Pyramids
    3. Taj Mahal
    4. Statue of Christ
    5. Golden Gate
    6. Hoover Dam
    7. Statue of Liberty

  2. You have obviously never been to Machu Picchu. It’s hardly a pile of rubble. The Eiffel Tower is a B bit of art nouveau grandeur. The Statue of Liberty is third-rate monumental art, which was shipped to the U.S. just to get rid of it. The Leaning Tower is a monument to architectural miscalculation. The Hoover Dam, on the other hand, is a good choice — as a symbol of mismanagement of water resources in the western states.

  3. I’m wondering why there aren’t any natural “Wonders” in this list. I reckon the Eiffel Tower is pretty over rated…its just a bit of steel slapped together in the 20’s

  4. Man-made: Forbidden City
    Natural: Grand Canyon

    I absolutely hate internet polls, do you remember Times most influential person poll?

    Because of South Korean pride and a bunch of freaking fan-girls Rain was voted most influential! Honestly my bedroom door has more talent than that ponce! It completely demeans the spirit of the poll, though I guess it should be expected from the mindless masses.

  5. Regan! you’re alive! :D

    Z: Natural wonders are a different category really… and I mean, it’s not like the list is going to change, is it? (ok sure global warming and all that). Man made is much more interesting to debate :)

    And I hafta say, the Eiffel tower may be all those things (it was slapped together in the late 1800s, man), but it certainly is impressive when you’re under it or on it :P

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