I followed a very interesting debate yesterday on Qwaider’s blog. Qwaider is convinced that Petra is a great and magnificent place and is actually a world wonder, yet; he is advocating that we as Jordanians must not be dragged to hysterical voting for Petra just like we did for Diana Karazon when she was competing for the Super Star title.
On the other hand, Hamzeh N debated this theory by explaining that voting for Petra is actually a national duty because it creates an opportunity for Petra and Jordan to be recognized by the World.
As much as I wanted to get into the debate to support Hamzeh’s argument; I knew better not to because me and Qwaider have a history in debates that go no where and I know that he is stubborn and will not agree on my view no matter how hard I tried so I decided to post about it on my blog as that’s safer 
… no hard feelings Q 
Let’s look at the whole thing from a different angle; what exactly is the history of naming 7 places as the World Wonders?
According to Wikipedia;
The earliest extant version of the list was compiled by Antipater of Sidon, who listed the structures in a poem around 140 BC:
“I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the Colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, ‘Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand.’” (Antipater, Greek Anthology IX.58)
There were some earlier lists but they did not survive.
The Seven Wonders of the World (from left to right, top to bottom): Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Artemis, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum of Maussollos, Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Why were there only seven wonders you ask?
Well, there is no specific reason, although the number “seven” appears in many aspects of mythology and religion. People always talk about the seven gates of heaven, the seven days of the week, and the seven seas. It appears this number is somehow embedded in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern tradition and history.
The reason I am writing about this is that the first, second, …, and maybe 100th lists of the 7 wonders of the world were created by people; architects or historians; they were still people. The new list that is being created now is also done by people, but the only difference is that instead of one or two people deciding which places should make the list; the opportunity is opened for every single person in this world to participate in the process, so why would we stand by and leave it for others to decide for us while our Petra deserves to be there on the list?
Whether you build your choice on national or patriotic duties, or on the fact that you have visited one of these places and believe that it should be on the list, it is really irrelevant. What matters here is that we all have the chance to participate in marking 7 places in the world on the map and declare them as destinations for tourists. The Greek category was not “Wonders” but “theamata”— closer to “must-sees”.
Now, only 7 places will be named wonders or “must-sees”. This does not mean that the rest of candidates will be ditched from the wonder or “must-see” catergory; it just means that the 7 winners will get more exposure and attention; in other words; better opportunities.
Qwaider has set an example in the American Idol or SuperStar competitions, and he named Diana Karazon, the first Arab SuperStar, or as he called it, the Karazonism phenomenon. No one denies that Diana has a great voice, in fact; she has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard and that made her the most eligible to win the competition and not only because we as Jordanians have drowned in the voting craze to prove that we are better. I am sure that she got a large number of votes from non-Jordanians as well as Jordanians.
Now, let me continue with this example; what did it mean for Diana to win the competition? Not only that she won the title, but also; she was given the opportunity to record the first album with songs done by the greatest writers and musicians; now how did this hurt her exactly? Despite that there were other beautiful voices in the competition, ones that actually deserved the title as well as Diana, but she was the one who was given the golden opportunity.
Although I believe that this example is not qualified to be brought in a debate about Petra, but I went along with it because it was already used.
Back to Petra; millions of people around the world know nothing about Jordan, and if and when they do, it will not be about what a wonderful great country it is, but that it is in the danger zone called Middle East. Now, what would happen if Petra won as one of the wonders? Come on; close your eyes and let’s imagine the ceremony, the publicity, the news, the advertising campaigns, the blogs and websites that will talk about this event. Now tell me, how is this going to be bad for the ordinary Jordanian like you and me? How will that harm us as everyday citizens and reflect negatively on us?
I will tell you what happens; those who did not know that Jordan exists will do, those who knew that Jordan is in the Middle East will understand better that we are actually a beautiful country with nice places to visit and see, whenever someone is reading and studying about the new 7 wonders of the world, the name Jordan will be there; this is what we call viral marketing, and we do not have to pay anything to gain such publicity.
We keep urging people to use their right to vote. During the parliament elections; all candidates pay tons of money on advertising and publicity campaigns and when they are actually elected and are comfortably seated on the chair they so craved; what happens to or reflects on the ordinary people who voted for them? … you go it; NOTHING!!!
In Petra’s case; declaring this magnificent national treasure as one of the 7 wonders of the world will reflect on the whole country; image and economy wise. So do I see voting for Petra a patriotic duty; you bet!!
When I first learned about this competition, I posted about it on my blog. In fact; this is the fourth time I post about the issue and I was waiting impatiently for the concerned parties to take action and advertise this to the people and urge them to vote. Now that it happened; I am all for it and I urge everyone to vote for Petra and it does make a difference.
So go on everyone; vote Jordan by voting for Petra!!
