Wonders of the modern world

Today’s wonders are not very similar to the wonders of the Ancient World. They were all buildings and statues. In the last two centuries, we have seen a lot of technological and scientific innovations. These are surely our modern wonders. Journalist Ann Halliday has made a list of these modern inventions. Here is her list:

1. Computers: They have already revolutionised the way we live and work. However, it is early days for computers. We still don’t know how much they might change the world. More computer wonders are yet to come.

2. Space travel: Only a few years before men were walking on the moon, well-known scientists declared that it was impossible. However in 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped out of his space capsule and made his famous statement: ‘That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.’

3. Medical science: Surely nothing has done more for the comfort and happiness of mankind than the advances in our medical knowledge. How many millions of people have benefited from the aspirin? How many lives has penicillin saved? The average life expectancy in Europe has risen dramatically over the last hundred years from about 50 years in 1906 to about 75 years today.

4. Holidays: Yes, holidays! In fact, there have always been holidays. In ancient Rome, there were more than 150 a year. However, a holiday used to mean simply a day when you didn’t work. Now holidaymakers travel to all parts of the world. Perhaps you don’t like having loads of tourists in your country, but you must agree that a phenomenon which sends office workers and shop assistants to Spain, Turkey or the Caribbean is a wonder of the world.

5. The Olympic Games: It is true that the Olympic Games are now commercialised and that there is greed and drug abuse. However, it is a competition in which every country in the world takes part. Every four years, for a brief moment, we see these countries come together in peace and friendship. We feel hopeful again for the future of mankind.

6. Agriculture: In 1709, entire villages in France died of hunger. Now, people in Europe couldn’t eat all the food they produce even if they tried. Politicians should find a way to share it with those parts of the world where there is still famine.

7. We are still here: The last wonder of the modern world is simply that we are still here. We have bombs that could destroy the world, but we have not used them. This is surely the greatest wonder of all!