In regards to the Pyramids, they were taken out of the voting because Egypt complained that they shouldn't have to "compete" for the title at all. It is really rediculous because I am sure that they would have placed anyway. Now, I just wasted a vote on them that could have gone to another deserving candidate.
Another thing that bothers me is the fact that The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) did not endorse the "contest" as they felt that the decision should be left to scientists. It is just another rediculous display by the UN. Why should it be up to some lab coat wearing, know-it-all, morons over the populace... who this is really about anyway. Personally, I don't care what motivations were behind this Swedish guys agenda. The point of this really came down to bringing the world together in a multicultural project. Instead, it seems that we can't seem to get our heads out of our own butts long enough to unite over a simple friendly contest. It is just sad.
I am also dissappointed in my own countrymen and my ancestral countrymen who seemed all but ignored this story from the get go. According to reports, Europe and America provided the least votes as of the last polling in early June. For one, it shows that our citizens are so ignorant, as if the Tonight Show's
Jay Walking bit didn't already show how bad we can be. What's worse, is that I barely saw any coverage by the media (I had do dig for it in the various news sites, and if I never would have caught the story here, I never would have known about the whole thing). The media was too busy previewing the next hit movies with critics, and !
The Princess goes to Jail and
The Prince who couldn't go to war, among other pointless stories that shouldn't have gotten as much coverage as they did (especially the first one). Now, I am not terribly upset that the Statue of Liberty did not get selected, even despite the fact that it is one that I voted for. If more Americans voted than maybe it would have placed better. It is strictly about the principle. In the end, it just goes to show what a sad state this world is in.
Anyway, as for the results, I am satisfied that at least two of the wonders that I voted for made it on the list, the Great Wall and the Colloseum, of which I felt definitely deserved to be on the list. As for the others I am pretty much indifferent on the results. Kudos to South and Central America for getting it's people to vote so much. At least some people can prove me wrong and show that they still have pride and spirit in their culture. These three are the ones I would say I am most indifferent on, though I admit that I didn't vote for any of them. Chichen Itza and Macchu Piccu are well deserving of the titles they have earned. Congrats to Brazil with Christ the Redeemer making the grade. I was pleasently surprised with Petra, though I don't believe that I voted for it. It was one that I considered when I was narrowing the list down. Sorry, but I was least impressed about Taj Mahal. I felt that there were others I would have liked to see make the grade. Congrats anyway.
So, on the lighter side, what do you think this may mean for future incarnations of Civ. I do hope that the Colloseum will finally make it as a Civ World Wonder (arena could replace it as a regular building*).
* Do I smell.... MOD CHALLENGE
).
