Signs, Signs Everywhere
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News Flash: World Polluted With Signs!
In 1971, when the song "Signs" was written by Les Emmerson and recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band, signs were every where. The song was written as a protest against all the signs telling us where to walk, how to dress, keep off the grass, etc., etc.
Well, the influx of signs between then and now is simply mind boggling. And especially so for those of us who were here in the '70s and '60s and 50s. It struck me a few days ago just how many signs that are now covering our world. Maybe they're not as ecologically damaging as plastic bags, but to me they are a distinct visual disturbance.
2011/07/03 12:29
A Few Necessary Signs
For The 'Necessary'
Some signs I can understand as being necessary. Traffic guidance and street locators and the restroom doors' "men" / "women" signs are about the extent of the necessaries.
Must we have a gigantic 50-foot tall billboard sign regaling the pleasures to be had at a casino which is right across the highway from the sign? And another one within a stone's throw from the casino. As if no one could see a ten-story hotel-casino.
How many "Keep Out" or "No Trespassing" signs painted in white on old tires does it take on the same fence? One every 10 feet so there's no chance of anyone thinking they can slip in.
"Keep Off The Grass" is one of the worst. If the only point of having the grass is to look pretty and green - why not pour pretty green concrete?
Signs and Sign of the Times and More
Much More
A Sign Joke
But I like it.
Some of the guys at the office printed out and taped my photo to this Handicap Parking sign in the parking lot. They were trying to be funny. And they are a funny lot. I left it there. Now I always have a parking spot at work. I guess that is one good sign.
Signs
No Reading While Driving
With all the signs along the roads, if we tried to read each one of them, there would be vehicles ramming into each other everywhere. Or is it intended for the passenger to read them to the driver?
Alice: "Oh, Herbert, it says: 'Buy cheap tires here.' Look, Herbert, that one says: 'Dentures Like Mom Wore.' Hey Herbert, did you know: 'Abe Lincoln slept here.' I want to go to this one: 'Museum of No Littering.'"
Herbert: "Shut up already, Alice. I can't concentrate on the traffic with all that Yakkity-Yak!"
Alice: "Now Herbert, you'll just have to focus. You know a lot of people went to a lot of work to put all those thousands and thousands of signs up. The least we can do is read them."
Herbert (inner thought: 'Read them?!?! I'm coming back tonight to burn them!!!') Aloud: "Yes, Dear. You're right, Dear." he says with a smirk.
They're Everywhere, Man, They're Everywhere
Like Cockroaches. Take one down, two more pop up.
Signs in the work place. Signs in the stores. On the roads, highways, and by-ways. Signs by the sidewalks, on the buildings, in the churches. Signs in the schools. Signs in the restaurants, the hotels, the motels. On trucks, on cars, on buses. Signs on balloons and boxes and flyers and stuck on windows. On tee-shirts, and underwear. So many signs - they're everywhere. I can't take it, I can't stand it. There should be a law that would ban it.
What's Your Take On The Sign Situation?
Is There a Solution?
I very obviously think there are way too many signs. Not to try to do the sign-makers out of a living. Perhaps they could focus more on quality and less on quantity. Let's sell the signs on eBay and spend the money on buying food for the hungry children. If all the signs in the world were thrown in the ocean, how high would that raise the sea level? If all the signs were sent to the moon, how long would our months be then? If all the signs are rocketed to Pluto, would it then be large enough to be a real planet?
Do you think we have too many signs already or do you think we should have more signs?
The world has more than enough signs.
gypsyman27 says:
I'd say we have enough! I mean there's a sign for everything, every where you look. See you around the galaxy...
Tipi says:
I don't care what they say, if they aren't a traffic sign, I'm with Herbert's inner thoughts.
sousababy says:
Oh agreed, we need to have our natural world back more.
StartPoint says:
One day drive over a political or Realtor's sign...next day it's standing up again. They grow like weeds!
Ladymermaid says:
Far far too many signs.
We need more signs to help explain the meaning of signs already in place.
karmicchristian says:
Signs of the times. :)
darciefrench says:
Sometimes, this is true - one doesn't really know what the sign is supposed to mean -:)
In The Year 2525
I Predict That:
In 4.14 centuries, give or take a few years, would we recognize our home planet if we were to peer down from Heaven's windows. Would it be a sign-free haven, or would all the plants be obliterated by signs?
grandma_deal predicts:
There will be so many signs that the planet earth falls from orbit and the dinosaurs once again roam as king.
gypsyman27 predicts:
I'd say that maybe some sanity will come into the picture. It must, all of these signs are just ugly. See you around the galaxy...
Tipi predicts:
Its gotta get better than this!
sousababy predicts:
Ha, I sure hope we can just keep the few necessary signs (like bathrooms and road signs). We need to take back our green spaces. When someone is hungry, s/he doesn't need a huge sign to find a place to eat. Maybe the dinosaurs will come back and eat the signs, now there's a solution.
Ladymermaid predicts:
Lol.....Ladymermaid will go back to the sea from whence she came in an effort to avoid looking at one more sign.
I Thought I Saw A Sign-less Establishment
While sitting at the drive-through of the bank, I was looking at the Boy Scout Building and its landscaping across the street. It suddenly struck me that there didn't appear to be any signs. Unbelievable! I took photos.
But, Alas,
As I pulled out of the bank's drive-through,
I saw them. They weren't very large. But they were there.
Sign Cloud
I like it better than the signs.
MP3 Singles
Some "Funny Signs" Lenses
by Greekgeek
Some signs are worth keeping just for the laugh factor. Greekgeek and her Mom have found a bunch. Click on the pictures to the right and left to see them. 
You Are...Here.
My Sign
Visitors, Sign In, Please
Come on in and Say, "Hey!" Hope you enjoyed the show. Let's hear your thoughts on the subject. Or not.
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karmicchristian
Jun 11, 2011 @ 5:43 am | delete
- The good sign is that it can be a pet peeve for many. :)
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gypsyman27
May 28, 2011 @ 9:24 pm | delete
- Good lens, you've supplied plenty of visuals. Back in the late 1960's or early 1970's this was an issue that was discussed regarding the interstate highway system. I don't know how it came out. Obviously not very well.:~) See you around the galaxy...
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Tipi
May 24, 2011 @ 10:43 pm | delete
- Maybe if they danced like your text generator example. That's the solution, I'm pretty sure! done with so much fun, I think I'll do the Brady Bunch song now for a while....
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kimark421
May 3, 2011 @ 6:59 am | delete
- Great lens...although now I won't be able to get the song out of my head! Thanks!
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sousababy
Apr 17, 2011 @ 8:00 pm | delete
- Always loved that song too. What a great little lens Grandma_deal! Take good care, Rose
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grandma_deal
Apr 17, 2011 @ 8:59 pm | delete
- Thanks, Rose. I always appreciate your visits and comments.
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Ladymermaid
Apr 16, 2011 @ 10:13 pm | delete
- Oh this was so cute. It was just the laugh that I needed this evening. Thank you so much. (But now I'll have that darn song in my head all night...sign sign everywhere a sign...)
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grandma_deal
Apr 16, 2011 @ 10:23 pm | delete
- Yeah, I've been stuck with it in my head for about 3 days. So glad you took it and now I can get some sleep. Thanks for stopping in.
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sorana
Apr 16, 2011 @ 8:50 pm | delete
- I sure did enjoy the show. :) Thanks. Unfortunately we do need all these signs.
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grandma_deal
Apr 16, 2011 @ 9:42 pm | delete
- Glad you stopped in, Sorana. Yes, I'll agree that we need most of the signs.
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I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me.
I'm alive and doin' fine."
Song Lyrics borrowed from: Five Man Electrical Band - Signs Lyrics
See more at Lets Sing It Musical Community.
by grandma_deal
It's becoming more and more difficult to find the sky. Why? Billboards. Forty-leven hundred Billboards blocking out the sky. Where's the flowers and... more »
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