New (Natural) World Order

November 19, 2008 - 1:45 AM by

Okay folks, it’s time once again to defend the republic, or whatever it is you call it over here. Israel is once again being judged in the court of world opinion, and it’s up to we loyal Israelis to make sure we get ours. But we’re not alone this time – if you have any friends in Jordan or the Palestinian Authority, you might be able to get them to help, because they’ve got a stake in this, too. eingedi1120.jpg

First there were the Seven Wonders of the World – so named because they really were wonders. Till today, for example, nobody has been able to figure out how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids. Now that’s a wonder! And you knew they were wonders because they had the imprimatur of the ancient Greeks. Later, though, it became clear that there were newer wonders that weren’t included in the original list, like the Great Wall of China, so various universities and the like compiled additional Seven Wonders lists. The Old City of Jerusalem, for example, is one of the New Seven Wonders, according to USA Today.

The latest Seven Wonders gimmick, however, has The People voting on what constitutes a Wonder of the World. The voting is coordinated by the New7Wonders Foundation, which was founded by aviator/explorer/museum curator Bernard Weber. One hundred million people voted to name the Foundation’s “New Seven Wonders,” which were announced on July 7, 2007, and include impressive monuments like the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, and Petra.

Now the Foundation is conducting voting for the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, with the i to be named in early 2009. The candidates include sites you would expect to be on such a list, like Mount Everest, Mount Fuji, the Grand Canyon, and Niagara Falls (the latter two being the only sites in North America to make the list). But there are lots of places many people are probably not familiar with. Interestingly, all of the top ten currently rated sites are in the Far East – with four of them in the Philippines, and three in Vietnam!

Israel is respectably represented as well: The coral reefs of the Red Sea are listed (actually, they’re listed as representing not only Israel, but the PA, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other countries too), as is the Dead Sea (also Jordan and PA), both currently in 13th and 14th places respectively. Also on the list, at 64, is Ein Gedi, the oasis on the shores of the Dead Sea (exclusively Israeli).
red sea1120.jpg
Now, I’m sure the Philippines has many beautiful natural wonders  – but four of the current top seven? And while there are many occasions where tapping into The Wisdom of Crowds is a good idea, I’m not sure determining a question like this is one of them. Based on the current standings, it looks more like  a popularity contest – with people urging their friends to vote for their county’s site. But if that’ the way it works, I say “game on.” Just surf on over to the  New7Wonders site and cast your vote. When you register, you get to choose your seven picks – so why not get all three Israeli sites as close to the top seven as possible? Our national – or should I say “natural” – pride is at stake!

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Comments

6 Comments on New (Natural) World Order

  1. David-Joe on Wed, Nov 19th 2008 1:57 AM

    2. Tell them to take their “wonders” and put it where the monkey stahes its nuts!

    What is with this excitement to obtain approval from others?

    Jerusalem belongs to the Jewish people. Nobody else and Israel [if it can find the backbone these days] should tell any and all that THAT is non-negotiable.

    And “national pride” is a fiction of the collectivist mind. It does not exist and the only reality is the individual.

  2. Simple Meditation on Sat, Nov 22nd 2008 7:44 AM

    3. Excellent content and style…keep up the good work!

  3. Maskil on Wed, Nov 26th 2008 8:36 PM

    4. The article states that “The Old City of Jerusalem, for example, is one of the New Seven Wonders, according to USA Today.” This information doesn’t appear to be correct; Jerusalem’s old city does not even appear on the list of finalists as per the official website:

    New7Wonders: The Finalists for The Official New 7 Wonders of the World
    http://www.new7wonders.com/classic/en/n7w/finalists/

    In a blog post earlier this year (see link below), I identified seven sites that might be of interest to “voters” in Israel and the Diaspora:

    Dead Sea, Lake (35)
    Ein Gedi, Oasis (13)
    Rosh Hanikra, Rock Formation
    Red Sea Reef
    Mount Sinai, Mountain
    Cedars of Lebanon, Nature Conservancy Park
    Wadi Rum, Desert (62)

    Altneuland: Holy Land sites nominated for New 7 Wonders of Nature
    http://blog.altneuland.info/2008/05/holy-land-sites-nominated-for-new-7.html

    Thanks for promoting the New 7 Wonders of Nature on Israelity.

  4. Low-riding bike race | Israelity on Wed, Dec 24th 2008 11:56 PM

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  5. binka on Tue, Apr 14th 2009 8:16 PM

    6. that was stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  6. Foto Friday – Dead Sea wonders | ISRAELITY on Sun, Nov 6th 2011 2:08 PM

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