Directionless

Polls show that many of us feel adrift and directionless. I sometimes share that feeling, especially when I see signs like the ones in this post. The first one stands in a narrow opening between the Great Hall and the Egyptian wing of the Met:

Who knew Jean-Paul Sartre made signs for museums?

Here’s a puzzle for motorists:

It may not be evident in the photo, but it should be to motorists, that directly behind these signs is Lake Wallenpaupack. Do drivers really have to be told to turn instead of plunge?

In the same vein:

If you overthink it — my specialty, by the way — the sign asks you to be in two places at the same time. Modern life often demands multitasking, but this is a whole other ballgame, one you can’t win.

You can’t win this one, either:

These two signs stand in front of the United Nations. I spotted them a few years ago and have checked periodically to see whether an attack of sanity broke out and someone took at least one of the signs down. So far, motorists are still being told to do the impossible.

As are we all. It seems to me that what really unites nations is this: nobody knows where to go, how to get there, and when to stop. Who knew street signs mirrored life?

8 thoughts on “Directionless

  1. William Cooper

    I’ve been reading student writing assignments all weekend, so these photos don’t phase me. In fact, I had to resist the urge to red-pencil them on my screen.

    Reply
  2. Melinda

    Firesign Theatre: How can you be in two places at once, when you’re not anywhere at all?
    Good post. Weird signs. Strange times.

    Reply
  3. Junior Santos

    CLEVEREST. CONCLUSION. EVER.
    Your final words are always brilliant, Ms. Woods!
    Unfortunately, we can’t qualify most the political leaders as the same.

    Reply

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