Jerusalem has boasted of creating the world's largest flag. Can we call this a human endeavour of significance? It is only wasteful expenditure in midst of large scale poverty and hunger.Creating a record for the sake of publicity should not be eulogised.Human endeavours which will benefit the humanity alone should be glorified. Guinness Book of world records should be restrained from entertaining such useless activities as a matter of great significance.Otherwise the Guinness Book of world records will become a laughing stock!

not nearly as much money wasted on this flag as suicide bombers spend on explosives. Much more money is also wasted by the gw propaganda machine. Address these issues before being concerned about a country making a big flag for whatever reasons.

Runner: Whilst you may desire every discussion to be about terrorism and global warming propaganda, there are other issues in the world that people would like to discuss. Please try to contribute to the topic rather than being antagonistic for no apparent reason.

Everyone else: I don’t visit OLO much and don’t know whether Runner makes this sort of comment specifically to get a reaction. Sorry if I just fed the resident troll.

Ezhil: I’ve just got a few thoughts on the issue.

Firstly - ‘Guinness World Records’ has never restrained from ‘presenting useless activities as a matter of great significance’. On their website, the first record mentioned in ‘amazing feats’ is “Heaviest Weight Dangled from a Swallowed Sword”. The first record mentioned in ‘sports’ is “Most Consecutive Skateboard Frontside Ollies”. The first record mentioned in ‘human body’ is “Most Tattooed Person”.

If they’re worried about becoming a laughing stock, they have many records to remove before they get to “world’s largest flag”.

Secondly - you state that the flag was constructed specifically for publicity. This is not the case. It was funded by a Filipino entrepreneur who wished to create a symbol representing the lasting peace between Israel and the Philippines (there a matching Philippines’ flag).
The power of symbols should not be underestimated. These flags may play a role in continued peace between the two nations.

Thirdly - you say this is a waste of money given the poverty and starvation in the region.
Whilst it would be nice if all rich people limited their spending to pursuits that would reduce poverty and hunger, it is unrealistic to expect. In comparison to the spending habits of other rich people, this symbol of peace is very noble. And, in reality, the creation of the flag worked toward reducing short-term unemployment; as it provided 31,000 people with work.

Thanks for bringing this flag to our attention. I would never have seen it if I hadn’t read your post. I must admit I am quite impressed with the scale of the feat and the peace it symbolises

Edit: the flag didn't create work for 31,000 people.

I had a little issue with reading comprehension there. The stat was that there are 31,000 Filipinos in Israel.

I'm not sure how many jobs were created by the construction of the flag.

Regardless, for a private venture, I think the creation of such a large scale symbol of peace is very impressive.

"Guinness Book of world records should be restrained from entertaining such useless activities as a matter of great significance.Otherwise the Guinness Book of world records will become a laughing stock!"

The Guiness book of records contains many fanciful and light hearted "records". I see no point in pretending record breaking events should be restricted to the serious.

Who should have the authority to "restrain" the GBR of anything? -

Some sour faced old fart with no sense of humour?

I for one will never cast my vote in support of such an arbiter.

Bring on more facile and fatuous records - they help to enlighten our days.

Maybe I should try for one... he who can stuff the most peas up a nostril

What about the most references to Margaret Thatcher in a forum Col!

Ezhil,

What do you think about fireworks?....

Stand back everyone! Umbrellas ready!