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Did We Really Need Seven New Wonders?
freakxx writes "Seven new 'wonders of the world' have been announced today in a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal. People throughout the world have voted actively to elect the new 7 out of 21 finalists.
The final lineup is: Chichen Itza, Mexico; Christ Redeemer, Brazil; The Great Wall, China; Machu Picchu, Peru; Petra, Jordan; The Roman Colosseum, Italy; and The Taj Mahal, India. The Pyramids of Giza was the only candidate that used to be among the original seven wonders. Did we really need seven new wonders of the world? Why was this decided via a website poll (pdf) and SMS messages?"
This is silly. The Seven Wonders of the Modern World can't be decided by an internet poll. The objective, authoritative, truthy way is to let the American Society of Civil Engineers decide it. And they have spoken. The Seven Wonders of the Modern World are the Channel Tunnel, the CN Tower, the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Itaipu Dam, the Netherlands North Sea Protection Works, and the Panama Canal
In 1899, Technology Review noted that "readers of Popular Mechanics some time ago selected by vote" wireless, the telephone, aeroplane, radium, antiseptics, antitoxins, spectrum analysis, and X-rays as the "seven wonders of the modern world."
The "seven wonders of the New World" were Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park, Garden of the Gods, Mammoth Cave, Yosemite Valley, Giant Trees, and Natural Bridge.
"How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!
'each of the member countries, note I did not say states'
Nations are states. The words country, nation, and state are synonymous. The member states of the EU have joined a central government in exactly the same manner as the United States, Canada, and the Soviet Union. Simply because they choose to think of themselves as somehow different than those others central governments does not make it so.
'I would argue that this has nothing at all to do the wonders in the world, but is merely your own politcal rant.'
It is both really. Every nation claiming a wonder whether they actually have one or not is silly. If the tiny 'countries' of the EU are each entitled to a 'wonder' then the US states which individually command military, economic, and human resources comparable to an EU country should also be entitled.
'each of the member countries, note I did not say states, of the EU have a history going back 1000s of years'
That is an interesting and irrelevant piece of data. There are recognized governments that last for only a few years. There are also nations that existed for 1000's of years and no longer exist. It is also misleading. The populace and cultures are various areas in Europe data back for 1000's of years, the actual governments typically do not date much further back than the US. If you are going to use the cultures and peoples then you will find that the native americans that inhabit the united states and represent the oldest of its peoples have a history that challenges europe. After all, european peoples and cultures moving to america certainly aren't its start.
'Were each of the states which now makes up the USA ever recognised as independent countries? If so, by whom?'
I admit I haven't researched the issue but they certainly were indepedent for a short time and met all the criteria to be recognized as independent countries. Undoubtedly the former colonies recognized themselves and one another after winning independence from England. There was a period of time between winning independence and the formation of the central government of the United States during which the individual colonies were recognized. Other individual former English colonies are now also recognized as independent nations. Many of the later states were definately independent for a time and later chose to join the United States, examples being California and Texas.
The revolutionary allies of the colonies certainly recognized them. France as actual ally, and Germany hired itself out in a mercenary capacity. You can't ally or do business with entities you don't recognize to exist.
Nice Wonders, 6/7 of them... But MEGA-JESUS? Come on!
I deduct that CATHOLIC HAX0RS must have rigged the vote in favor of MEGA-JESUS!
Here is proof undeniable of the Vast Christian-Papist Conspiracy to deny the world a proper 7th wonder:
MEGA-JESUS vs Kremlin, Red Square, and Saint Basil's Cathedral
MEGA-JESUS at (105') vs Statue of Liberty (151')
MEGA-JESUS vs Eiffel Tower (1063')
Expected Result: MEGA-JESUS LOSES
After Hackery: MEGA-JESUS WINS
As a Terrible Consequence of this Hackery, the race is now on to build even bigger Jesuses.
I predict that by 2020, GIGA-JESUS will stand over 1000 feet tall, with at least 20 MEGA-JESUS clones around the world.
"I'd have voted for that before voting for that stupid Christ statue."
Yeah, let's bad-mouth the Jesus statue not because it is anything but an engineering marvel for its era, but because it's of Jesus. I still fail to see much difference between militant evangelical Christians and militant evangelical atheists.