They've, or, apparently, we've named the new 7 Wonders of the World. Congratulations. You have chosen wisely.
I disagree little with this list. In fact, I don't think I disagree with it at all. There's no denying the architectural masterpieces. Indelible contributions of the genius of man to the sustenance of the human race.
My nomination for this list is Machu Pichu. Though I also like Petra -- as referenced earlier -- but not the group.
But why is it limited to 7? Seems a rather arbitrary number. One for each day of the week? Why not 13? Or 22? Or even 1? If the latter is to be the case, the Pyramids win, hands down. Though the Great Wall has a 'dog in that fight'.
I have been intrigued by architecture since I read The Fountainhead. Awed by it's genius. Fascinated by it as an art form -- an idea I never considered before I read the book.
And while I think it rather sophomoric that we should in some way belittle the other masterpieces on this list because they are the geeks at this architectural prom they just had online, I do believe that voters got it right.
But honestly, how could you get it wrong? It's like being in a room of every flavor of ice cream and asked to pick the best. It's ice cream! There's no such thing as bad ice cream.
Things like this are subjective. I grant you that, beauty in the eye of the beholder and all. But, like Plato posited: beautiful things are beautiful things. And not just because we say they are. But is there a more beautiful sight than this? I say not.
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7 comments:
where's the link to the 7 wonders?
www.new7wonders.com
There are actually quite a lot of "7 Wonders" lists.
Personally, I think Lou Malnati's pizza is one of the wonders of the world, but I don't think it qualifies as a contestant.
And, what about Pamela Anderson? Surely she's got enough man made parts to qualify as a wonder?
Petra Rocks !
Here is my problem:
If one were to check on how these 7 wonders were built it would reveal that each of them were built on the backs of slaves...not very majestic after all? Case in point is that the Colleseum [sic] was built from the booty taken after Jerusalem was destroyed and its inhabitants killed. Rome, nor others, were paying the hourly union wage...
What is really a wonder is the view of any mountain range...now that is a wonder! And the builder it for free!
Yes, those are natural wonders though. And there is a list of those .
I'm confused by anon's argument. Yes they were built on the back's of slaves. But isn't it a testament to their work that such structures are honored? Would you feel differently about these structures if rich people built them? If we are to value this monuments as art, and we must, I'm not sure we can be influenced by these things in such a way. What we must do is recognize those efforts and honor those efforts.
Was it right how they were built? Absolutely not. But disavowing their greatness is equally wrong.
Amazing how we disavow the life of people, or, assign them quality based on what they achieved under duress--doing something that they were forced to do to please the hunger of a despot.
What better can be said of them if they used their abilities to build the one thing granted all men, 'Freedom!'
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