#71: wonders of our world

The race to anoint 7 "new" wonders of the world is well and truly on. And in true spirit of a global community (that only includes those with the magic internet access), web-votes will decide the winners. The WPost has some striking photographs of the "contestants". Here's your chance to fulfil your civic responsibility.

For all the excitement and enthusiasm this has generated, is this a meaningful contest? It mimics a Miss Universe/American Idol pageant. How do you compare Stonehenge or the rocks on Easter Island to the Sydney Opera House? And why are the Great Pyramids of Giza nominated once again? Being an ancient wonder of the world surely would have been enough for even the Pharaohs.

Let's do away with the number 7. And then call them "architectural wonders" for what they truly are. My personal vote would be for Easter Island, Machu Picchu, the Colosseum, Angkor Wat, the Great Wall, the Parthenon, the Taj Mahal, Petra, and the Hagia Sophia/Blue Mosque. The Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera House can wait for their turn.