Craig,

Some Americans are stupid, most are not. What is stupid, reprehensible, and very much against our long-term interests is the deliberate dumbing down of Americans in the media, and just about everywhere.

I fully expect to buy a knife sometime engraved with an arrow and the legend, "Sharp Edge". Does no one understand that people too stupid to figure out the pointy end of a knife are too stupid to read?

True, a lot of this stuff is an effort to avoid lawsuits, but it does not work very well. Idiots still sue (the term "idiots" also encompasses the idiots' lawyers). But frankly, any fool who falls off the ladder step marked "not a step" is probably not going to win, warning or no warning. Anerican juries are surprisingly common-sensical when it comes to this stuff, despite well-publicized exceptions.

SET 'SOAPBOX' OFF

Jim E.




>On the front door to my post office:
>"No dogs allowed except seeing eye dogs"
>
>Most of these things are to comply with government regulations. The others probably to avoid law suits.
>
>However, I'm come to the decision that for the most part, people are stupid. When I was in high school, I worked at a movie theater that showed midnight movies every weekend. It never failed that we'd get at least one phone call a week asking "What time does the midnight movie start?". The marquee sign would also advertise the name of the movie playing that weekend then say "Fri/Sat Midnight". People would always call and ask "What does Fri/Sat Midnight mean?"
>
>
>>A lot of user-interface implementations I have reviewed have been cumbersome and hard to understand. We should take a hint from the consumer products industry and make out interfaces truely user-friendly.
>>
>>Here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods.
>>
>>On Sears hairdryer:
>>"Do not use while sleeping."
>>(Gee, that's the only time I have to do my hair.)
>>
>>On a bag of Fritos:
>>"You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."
>>(The shoplifter special.)
>>
>>On a bar of Dial soap:
>>"Directions: Use like regular soap."
>>(And that would be. . . how . . .?)
>>
>>On some Swann frozen dinners:
>>"Serving suggestion: Defrost."
>>(But it's *just* a suggestion.)
>>
>>On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom of box):
>>"Do not turn upside down."
>>(Too late!)
>>
>>On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding:
>>"Product will be hot after heating."
>>(And night follows day . . . )
>>
>>On packaging for a Rowenta iron:
>>"Do not iron clothes on body."
>>(But wouldn't this save a lot of time?)
>>
>>On Boot's Children's Cough Medicine:
>>"Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this
>>medication."
>>(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents
>>if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off
>>those forklifts.)
>>
>>On Nytol Sleep Aid:
>>"Warning: May cause drowsiness."
>>(One would hope.)
>>
>>On a brand of Christmas lights:
>>"For indoor or outdoor use only."
>>(As opposed to what other kind of use?)
>>
>>On a Japanese-made food processor:
>>"Not to be used for the other use."
>>(I gotta admit, I'm dying of curiosity.)
>>
>>On Sainsbury's peanuts:
>>"Warning: contains nuts."
>>(Talk about a newsflash.)
>>
>>On an American Airlines packet of nuts:
>>"Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."
>>(Step 3: Fly Delta.)
>>
>>On a Swedish chainsaw:
>>"Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
>>(Was there a spate of this happening somewhere?)
>>
>>Regards,