In light of all the pain, anguish and otherwise horrible things happening in the world, I though I would take the time to look around and peruse the world's achievments. The height of Man's achievements generally revolve around things he has created; be it art, architecture, music, literature or science. In my perusal of these things (I have a deep love for history, so I really do anjoy looking at all of this stuff), I stumbled across a New Seven Wonders voting website. Twenty one man made structures have been 'shortlisted' onto the final voting. I won't be voting as it requires and international call and I think it's a silly thing to spend money on when I could buy somthing useful, like food or gasoline.

So, instead, I will simply place my votes for the seven wonders here along with the list of all 21 possibilities.

Petra, Jordan - This city was voted into the short list. I placed it in my seven because it is a city built directly into stone. It is truly a feat of man's ingenuity, simplicity and adaptability. Not only did building this gorgeous city take skill, it also took dedication, cooperation and an eye for aesthetic.

Stonehenge - One of the world's many mysteries. We don't know who built it, though we have a reasonable idea why they built it. A dedication to the heavens and to man achievments in astronomy. I voted for this structure because it is one everybody knows on site. Perhaps it is not much to look at, but despite that, it still take yours breath away.

Easter Island Statues - Yet another mystery. We don't know who built them, how or even why; but these large faced men seem to stare out onto the ocean forever searching for something more. I placed this on my top seven because it seems to embody man's sense of longing. his search for something more, for something beyond what he is. These statues have withstood the elements and endure.

The Great Wall of China - It's a wall built from stone and men. Thousands of people worked on this structure and many of them still remain with it. Those who died while building it were used as part of it. I placed this on my top seven, but in all reality, I think I would rather have placed Emperor Qin's clay army of Xi'an on it. This clay army is truly a testament to art and achievement. Thousand upon thousands of statues were made and each and every single one was different. I cannot imagine the number of artisans who must have worked upon it. However, you can see the Great Wall from Space.

Pyramids of Giza - This one is a no brainer. Ancient, simple and inspiring. The pyramids are truly amazing. Sure they were probably built my my enslaved ancestors, but they have withstood time. Definately on the top seven.

Taj Mahal - Shah Jahan built this as a gift for his second wife. This is a monument of love and devotion. Few buildings truly capture the best of man, but this is one of them. Every face of the building is enscribed with a different poem of love. Shah Jahan was so crushed when his love died (after bearing their 14th child) that his hair is said to have turned white as snow. He built this truly beautiful building as a promise to her. The pillars are even tilted slightly outward that if one should fall, they would fall away from the main structure so it doesn't become damaged. A tribute to the best of man's intentions, architectural beauty and ingenuity.

The last one for my list of top seven was rather hard. There were several I could have placed into this spot, but in the end, I went with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world.

The Acropolis - I don't know why, but I have always loved this structure. It's withstood the many attempts to burn it, knock it down and change the meaning behind it. There are numerous temples on the hill which has been considered sacred for millenia. The Parthenon, The Temple of Athena Nike, The Erechtheion, and The Propylaea are each unto themselves a work of art and a monument to man's achievements. Because of the numerous structures that are all lovely, I chose this to be the seventh on my list.

Now, for those that didn't make it.

Alhambra of Grenada, Spain - this is a lovely building and as much as I adore spain, I couldn't put it on my list. There are other monument in Spain which are infinately more impressive.

Angkor Cambodia - Another breath-taking city. It is an amazing looking place, if there were 8 places, this would have been on my list as well.

Chichen Itza - The mexican pyramid. The most amazing thing about this structure is that it was built independantly of the Pyramids of Giza. The symbolism and similarity between the two is startling and truly makes one think.

Christ Redeemer - A giant statue of Christ. Perhaps I didn't choose this on principal. I don't know. It just doesn't do much for me.

Colosseum - Again, it was hard not to put this on the list. A place of entertainment and death. It's hard to pass up, but in the end I did because I was looking for symbols of man's achievements, not his cruelty.

Eiffel Tower - Yeah, it's cool, but it's also French.

Hagia Sophia - Another lovely building, truly, but too similar to the Taj Mahal for my taste.

Kyomizu Temple - Yes, it's pretty, but once again, it doesn't do a whole lot for me when I look at the pictures of it. There are other Japanese Shrines I would have placed above this one.

The Kremlin/St. Basil - An amazing and complex structure. The minarets are gorgeous, but, I just couldn't put it on the top seven.

Machu Picchu - Lovely, remote and boring.

Neuschwanstein Castle - Meh... it's a castle. Woo. Reminds me of Disneyland.

Statue of Liberty - Similar to the Colosus of Rhodes Welcoming... holding a torch. But once again... French. (I just sort of feel like mocking someone. I did have a resolution to do so. Sorry France, I don't really mean it.) The real reason I didn't put it on my list is because it is quickly becoming structurally unsound.

Sydney Opera House - What an eyesore. I'm sure the acoustics are great, but bleh.

Timbuktu, Mali - Yeah its cool, but I can't help thinking of Garfield and Nermal.

Perhaps tomorrow I'll pick out my top seven works of Art of all time.

Posted by Utopia at January 5, 2006 09:18 AM

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Posted by: YummY! at January 5, 2006 12:07 PM

Posted by: katkat at January 5, 2006 02:10 PM

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