Any wonder?

Whatever else you can say for mankind, whether we’ve risen to the heights of perfection or lowered ourselves into the hellpits of degradation and destruction, we have built.

Since the first bored man crawled out of a cave, picked up a round stone and discovered it would roll, we have built archaeological layers of momuments to our own ingenuity.

Now, you can help determine, in a worldwide online vote, which of 21 manmade monuments will be chosen “The New Seven Wonders of the World.”

Many of these wonders, forged of skill and sweat, are so familiar they are recognizable by form or outline.

I have long been intrigued by the nominated statues of Easter Island, but personally regret my choice is not listed: the terra cotta warriors and horses of Xi’an, China, which in my opinion represent man’s monument to man.

Rather than list the 21 finalists and deprive you of suspense, here are the attributes they represent:

Civilization, democracy, dignity, dialogue, beauty, sanctity, worship, knowledge, welcoming, openness, joy, suffering, mystery, awe, and

Challenge, progress, perseverance, persistence, faith, respect, clarity, serenity, fortitude, symbolism, community, dedication, fantasy, imagination, and

Engineering, protection, immortality, eternity, generosity, hope, intrigue, endurance, abstraction, creativity, love, passion, intellect and mysticism.

If you’re a constant learner like me, a history buff or just nuts for trivia, go to the official Web site (LINK), wait for the brief video, then, by clicking on each of the 21 photos, you can read a brief and fascinating history of each nominee. Then under any history, click on “Vote Online” to register and vote.

The “Seven New Wonders of the World” will be annonced 7/7/07. To date, 28 million votes have been cast.

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Click on “Comment” below and tell us your top pick!

(Aside to that undeterred little hobbit, my friend “Frodo:” Dolly Parton doesn’t count.)