Sign of the Times

While some educators are concerned about literacy, often judged by the ability to read, other folks are encouraging us not to read, but to rely on symbols. Each day, I look for this blurry pencil on my blogger website so that I can write a blog. When I want to publish the blog, however, it's necessary to find and read the word "publish." I'd be up a creek if I couldn't read.

NOOOO! Don't touch that! I'm not done yet!

"Toss phone in pool" icon.

Anyone with a smartphone knows that everything in it is identified by a symbol. The one shown here means toss your phone in the pool to get an accurate temperature reading of the water. But please wait until you're finished reading this blog. Every "read" helps the ratings.

The campaign to simplify our lives with symbols began when signs appeared on the road to keep our kids safe from cars. Prior to that, kids were in charge of their own safety. The first "children playing" signs were politically incorrect. They said "Slow children playing," and that offended their parents, even though it's apparent that this young man is chasing a bowling ball that he accidentally dropped out of the minivan. Not a bright kid.

Watch for slow children.

Wedding chapel sign?

Incidents like this prompted sign makers to eliminate all wordage and rely totally on pictures for signs. It's no longer necessary to write "restroom," when we have
wonderful graphics to direct you.

There are problems with icons replacing signs. Not everyone interprets a picture the same way. Recently, I was late for a friend's wedding, and was frantically looking for the wedding chapel sign. Finally I spotted it, but I ended up in a men's restroom.

It's a good thing I can read "EXIT."