infrogmation: (Default)
infrogmation ([personal profile] infrogmation) wrote2007-07-07 08:12 pm

Wondering simply

Hyped publicity gimmick:

Telegraph: New Seven Wonders picked after global vote

Bah. Chichen Itza got in. Dang; Ms Hollie and I have been discussing a trip to Yucatan sometime in the next year or so; now Chichen is going to be even more mobbed with tourists. Chichen has serious niftyness, but as Maya ruins go, Tikal is much larger and Uxmal, Palenque, and Copan are certainly more beautiful.

The description of Chichen on the contest website isn't even up to the standards I'd expect from the text on the back of an off-brand souvineer postcard. Dubious neologisms for major structures; I presume "the Playing Field of the Prisoners" is the Great Ball Court. WTF?

Worst choice on the list: Cristo Redentor in Rio. Sorry, as a non-Christian, I've seen some beautiful sculptures of Jesus, but that ain't one of them. Years ago, my old neighbor, aviation pioneer Walter Hinton, showed me some marvelous aerial photos he took of Rio de Janeiro -- back before this lovely natural setting was ruined with that ugly-assed uninspired giant touchdown Jesus. Declared a "Wonder", now the eyesore will likely NEVER get torn down or replaced with anything better.

[identity profile] asienieizi.livejournal.com 2007-07-08 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not very well versed on sculptures but that one is o gross to me.
It looks... flat, is the best way I can describe it. Very lifeless and cold looking.

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/merle_/ 2007-07-08 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
That was, indeed, one of the crappiest possible choices for a "Wonder". I can only assume that since many of the ancient wonders were religious that they wanted to toss in something religious. But I've seen better artistry on those little clay Jesus figurines that some stores sell.

[identity profile] entheos93.livejournal.com 2007-07-08 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"ugly-assed uninspired giant touchdown Jesus" just made my day.

[identity profile] jennconspiracy.livejournal.com 2007-07-08 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"mountain settlement" - muah-haha ha!

I agree - Uxmal is more interesting than Chichen Itza, but hey - send the tourists over there and maybe we can get into Tulum more easily. ;)

Ditto on the christo statue - how hideous is that thing anyway?

[identity profile] la-azteca.livejournal.com 2007-07-09 01:02 pm (UTC)(link)
All I can say ... at least the voting is over. And double bah!

Wondering simply

[identity profile] infrogmation.livejournal.com 2007-07-10 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
UNESCO slams seven 'new' wonders of the world (http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/unesco-slams-seven-new-wonders/2007/07/09/1183833387393.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1")