The Modern 7 Wonders Of The World
I am a huge fan of the Civilization franchise. I've been playing these games since I've been gaming honestly. Anyways, in these games you can build a wonder to give your civilization an extra push. Most of the wonders are wonders indeed, like the Louvre, Pyramids, Statue of Liberty, etc. This gave me an idea for a topic. See, the game goes on to list modern wonders. But what are the real modern wonders of our era? This isn't a typical top list in that all of these monuments to civilization are equally important in my opinion. But they are very different then older era wonders as older era's needed a physical symbol, like Mount Rushmore, or the Terracotta Army today's era still needs symbols, but as we think differently and our age is different these wonders are not the same.
The Internet- You can't touch the internet in the same way you can touch the Hanging Gardens. But the Internet is the biggest reason for why our world is so different from what it used to be. Everything you want to see, know, and hear is at your fingertips. You don't have to go through the same channel to become famous anymore. You can post a video on youtube and become infamous. Things are free that were once expensive. Everyone can know everything and can make a choice of what they want to know. I learned how to fix my PC issues through Google. You can check the stock market, talk to your friend in Austria live and see them, and play web games all at the same time.
Hollywood- As someone who tends to be very opinionated and very snooty I almost hate mentioning this, however... Hollywood turned the entertainment industry into America's biggest resource. Hollywood has become the holy land of actors, not Broadway. Hollywood provides more work then most industries can claim. And it pays well. Do you know what a Gaffer is? Look it up, thats a job. X-Men listed 15 thousand people helping to make their film and to be honest this is the norm, really. American is able to look like were are doing fine, I believe, because of the movie industry. It's modern idolatry, symbolism, literature, and propaganda all wrapped in one bundle.
The Pirate Bay- Some of you may find this a lot controversial. And it probably is. If you know what torrenting is, chances are, you at the very least have a history with it. Why is it that after all these years this site is still up? Because it's more then just a place to get free stuff illegally. It's a modern wonder, it has meaning. When the common man knows what he is doing and does it anyways without batting an eye, that says something. I'm not judging, not at all, our age is based on gotta have it all and the truth is the common man can't have it all. We never could. But what if we could? You would think there would be a massive effect on the entertainment industry if 'everyone' was doing it, but the industry is stronger then ever. Why? Is it because of Pirate Bay? I don't have that answer, but I do believe its a marvel to be wondered at.
Smartphones- I hate that this is on the list, but it has to be. Smartphones have ruined my life(exaggeration). You can access virtually everything(internet, games, photos), some phones can be used to hack other phones or even the internet itself with the proper know-how, you can communicate with anyone on the PLANET whenever you wish. Wow. And the best part is, almost all of us take this for granted even though fifteen years ago we barely had cell phones let alone the ability to check up on your son while they are in school. You know I have over ten HOURS of music on my phone. You know, for when I'm on those long roadtrips from one state to another. Smartphones, I salute you.
Jerusalem- I bet you weren't expecting this one. This city is so old. How can it be a modern wonder? Religion, as much as those of science hate it, will probably always be relevant. But it's a mark of old, and unchanging ways. Religion symbolize so many things that can be found in this one city. Jerusalem somehow manages to be a Mecca for three different religions. It's also a genius place to visit if your from any other religion, or lack thereof. There is so much turmoil. So much hope. So much history. I have heard tales of even Atheists who are still Atheists, taking a moment to pray. That, is the mark of a Wonder.
Disney World- Not Disneyland, Disney World. Here's why. Disney is the commercial city of happiness. In this modern era of being programmed to think a certain way, Disney did it first and still does it best. People come from every inch of the world to see this place and BE HAPPY. I call it a city, because that is what it is. It's a massive city with several sections(Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom) and the whole thing is a world of tourism. Florida used to be a state built on Cattle and Citrus, but know we're know for our tourism industry. This is all thanks to Disney. No other wonder on this list actually has the look of a wonder like Disney World does.
Modern Man- I may be overstepping my bounds on this one and this isn't some ego trip I promise. I'm sure that today we are a wonder, tomorrow robots take our place. So enjoy it while it lasts. If you, the reader, were taken and sent beck in time, say, seventy years(I'm serious, only seventy) you could be a Champion. And a hundred years before that, a god. Our world has evolved so quickly in just a few years that we haven't even noticed who we've become. Modern man knows so much more then he/she used to or even could. We're taller, bigger, and are capeable of greater things. And here is the best part, we are all the same for the most part. SO, enjoy being on the top because when the Android Revolution comes(and make no mistakes, it will) we will lose.
What did I miss, and where was I wrong? Please share your insight. I would love to hear it, as I always do.
