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January 9, 2007 12:03 AM
Broken: Canada Science and Tech museum sign
Jay Heins submits a picture taken in Ontario, Canada:
While approaching these steps at Canada Science and Tech museum our observant three year old exclaimed that we couldn't use the stairs!
This sign, I suspect, was meant to prohibit climbing on the concrete bench. Two changes could have made the message more clear: place the sign on the front side of the bench, and re-draw the pictogram steps to look less stair-like and more bench-like.
There was no sidestepping the meaning of the sign for the boy, though. We had to go around to the side door to get in.
"Do not use anti-gravity to go up these stairs"
The only thing I can think of that makes any sense, and not much at that considering the apparent lack of other indicators to this, is that the stairs may be intended for exiting only, perhaps even emergency exit stairs...
But I'm really reaching for that explanation...
And the steps have those yellow stripes AND that red arrow pointing to the signs. No wonder the kid refused to use the steps. Smart kid. Stupid sign-maker.
No skipping steps, for you shall break the universal laws of physics and that shall destroy the whole dimensions.
That sign is unquestionably broken.
Having worked for the Feds for 18 years, I can explain this. Not justify it, you understand, but explain it.
All guvmint depts. must purchase, if they can, from guvmint supplies. This sort of thing -- a warning sign -- is in a three-ring binder of acceptable signs. So some poor soul was given the task of picking a sign to handle a "situation" they found themselves in after construction. That is, idiots were using the concrete benches as if they were stairs. Since there is no standard sign that says Don't Step On The Bench, this poor soul chose the first sign that looked about right, Don't Use The Stairs.
That's why I took early retirement.
Rob
Comments on this entry are closed
What sense is it to make a permanent sign like that, anyway? No climbing stairs? What do they think stairs are for?
Maybe the sign really means that you're not allowed to float up the stairs.
Posted by: Haggai at January 9, 2007 07:52 AM