Editorial: Will wonders never cease?

Thursday, July 12, 2007 | 7:28 a.m.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World can no longer be casually mentioned as if the listener will readily and fully understand the reference.

Now a person must clarify which list of seven wonders is meant - the one dating to the second century B.C., or the one dating to 7/7/07.

Yes, there are now two lists of seven wonders, although the one adopted Saturday at a ceremony in Portugal actually numbers eight if the honorary inclusion of the pyramids at Giza is recognized.

Owing to Egyptian officials, who said it would be a disgrace if the tombs for ancient pharaohs had to compete, the pyramids retain their place as a wonder, despite a worldwide vote via the Internet and cell phone text messages that chose a new list of seven.

One reason for the new list is because all the original wonders except the pyramids yielded to the ravages of time centuries ago. The new list of seven wonders - the Colosseum in Rome ; the Great Wall of China; India's Taj Mahal; the ancient city of Petra, Jordan; Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil; the 15th-century Machu Picchu sanctuary in the Andes Mountains of Peru; and the step-pyramid at Chichen Itza, Mexico - are all still standing.

Another reason is because the Swiss foundation behind the voting plans to use money generated by the event to preserve, restore and promote monuments around the world.

A new vote is now under way, for the seven natural wonders of the world. Votes may be cast at www.natural7wonders.com.

In the likely event that this type of top seven voting catches on, we'd suggest a technology category. And our top vote would go to the Internet, whose potential for accessing information and communicating is unlimited.

About 100 million people from around the world cast votes for the new seven wonders list, mostly using the Internet. That truly was a wonder.

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question