8.12.2008

7 new wonders: patriotism and business

A few months ago, many media started promoting a contest about the “New 7 wonders of the world“. Such task is not being carried ahead by the UNESCO or any other relevant global organisation, but by a private company that charges for every additional vote for a “new wonder” -the first one is free when issued on the web, but you’ll have to pay if you want to do it through SMS. The worst thing is that several countries have launched strong campaigns to promote the vote for its country’s “wonders”. That is, their citizen, in the name of national pride, have to increase the profits of a private company that is making business of a contest of argueable seriousness.
At Viaje Aqui, carioca Ricardo Freire says something quite interesting:
It’s an insult to intelligence to place Machu Picchu, Angkor, Isla de Pascua Islands, the Coliseum, the China Wall, Egypt’s and Chichen Itza’s pyramids next to the Liberty Statue, the Corcovado Christ and the Cinderella Castle in Baviera. Excuse me? Cinderella’s Castle?
An acclaration, just in case, the castle is in fact called Neuschwanstein, and Disney based in it to make Cinderella’s.
Tony Galvez’ blog de Viaje a Brasil also talks about the 7 new wonders of the world topic.
It’s not worth spending money in this. It’s not even recognized by an important organisation, so don’t waste your time and money in these things. The real sad thing is that there are governments that are taking this seriously, and spending public funds in promoting something that has no real value, like being recognized by UNESCO.
UPDATE: the egyptian government complays about the lack of seriousness of the contest, which they consider of poor scientific value. More at this link (spanish).

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