NPR: Send Us Your 'Wonders'

Send Us Your 'Wonders'

The Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was voted among the "New 7 Wonders" of the world.

Lee, here.

We're working on a story this week about the "New 7 Wonders" of the world. The contest, a project of Swiss filmmaker Bernard Weber, dubbed itself as the "first ever global election." Weber's troop asked citizens from around the globe to submit their ideas on which sites should be recognized as the world's most treasured.

Of course, the idea for the contest was inspired by the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Those selections, written about by the Greeks as theamata (meaning "things to be seen"), were mainly noted for artistic splendor and religious significance. They were chosen long before anyone reading this post was even thought of...

The results of the worldwide callout for the "New 7 Wonders" were revealed earlier this month with much fanfare (see the final seven for yourself).

But our idea to cover this story came in the days that followed. A listener, Robert, who lives in San Francisco, wrote to us about why he's reserving his applause:

Dear, Tell Me More, & Michel Martin, I'm a huge fan, of Tell Me More, & wanted to know why Africa, a whole continent, was overlooked in creating a new 7 wonders of the world?...this got me to thinking, why or how, this could be? Africa as huge as it is, could not get even one, on the list, except honoree status...? This is something that I can't shake off, so I thought maybe it would be something you & Tell Me More could explore further on one of your shows. Sincerely, Robert

We thought: who else is thinking about the "New 7" in this way?

Help us out on this story. Can you think of an international "must-see" that didn't make the cut? Another "special" place?

Tell us where it is and why you think it's so...splendid.
Or, if you've never been there, tell us why it looks so...splendid.

Hurry!

...And thanks Robert.

Lee Hill

8:35 PM ET | 07-24-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I was one of those lucky people who found out about the new wonders web site just in time to vote. I was excited because I had been able to see a few of them in my life and had some great ideas of what I wanted to vote for, not to mention the ones I see what to see. Speaking of which, my husband has always wanted to see the Pyramids of Egypt. So, this bring me to my point of this story. As I began to vote my first choice was the Taj Mahal because my husband and I had just seen it and it was grand. My second choice was the Pyramids of Egypt but I could NOT click on it -- the button was grayed out!! I even email the site. Well, isn't that somthing. So, if you want to know why Africa didn't get mentioned there you go. Thing is why would the Pyramids of Egypt get ignored? Everyone in their right mind considers that to be something to behold before you die.

Sent by Adria Patel | 1:28 PM ET | 07-25-2007

Dear, "Tell Me More," & Michel Martin,
Thank you sooo... much for further exploration on the subject: The New 7 Wonders Of the World.

I have to say I was somewhat perplexed by Africa, esp. equatorial Africa being left out of the mix.

I have marveled at Africa since childhood, esp. when my parents bought a set of World Book Encyclopedia in the early 50's for our home. I soaked up information on Africa like a vacuum cleaner, even tho, some of the information on Africa, was biased, which I learned to weed out as I got older, & more informed, about those distortions.

I could pick at least 4, for Africa, but I will go with one, & let others, surprise me in their selection for the continent, if any.

So my pick for one of The 7 New Wonders, would have been Lalibela, Ethiopia; an Ethiopian town renowed for its ancient churches, carved in solid rock. It is stated, that the first Europeans visitors were "astonished". Built during the Zagwe dynasty, around the 12 century, they were named after the king, Lalibela. It is said, some 40,0000 workers,who worked for 20 years to cut 11 churches from solid rock; now to my mind, that is a Wonder!!

No, I have not seen them personally, but hopefully one day, I'll step foot on "Mother Africa".

Again, thank you, & staff, so very much.

Sent by Robert H. | 9:18 PM ET | 07-25-2007

I keep thinking about the connection between the results and the global digital divide. For example, Brazil managed to get a spot on the list - a country that has an enormous number of public Internet facilities. In contrast, Cambodia's Angkor got squeezed out - a country where almost no one has Internet access. The same thing could be said for much of Africa. Lalibela is a great example, as is Great Zimbabwe, the pyramids of Sudan, the Berber ksour of the Maghreb.... Any place that has a dearth of Internet access and tech skills would find it really hard to make a dent in any kind of contest that required online voting.

Sent by andy carvin | 12:54 PM ET | 07-26-2007

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