pedanticism
requires me to inform you
these are not haiku posted by finite at 4:26 PM on November 30, 2011 [5 favorites]
They are a haiku
When the masses change the rules
Art is created. posted by Pink Fuzzy Bunny at 4:39 PM on November 30, 2011 [3 favorites]
It's really not too many words for a sign. They're meant to be read by pedestrians or cyclists stopped at an intersection, not passing cars.
I have no idea if they'll make an impact, but they're an interesting idea and more attention grabbing than other signs because they're not what has been seen before.
I like the idea. We need more poetry in our everyday lives. posted by hippybear at 4:39 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nothing like creative government action
to bring the armchair cost-benefit analysts
out of the wood work posted by 2bucksplus at 4:42 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
I like them. I think they're pretty and I'm all for adding more art to our daily lives. HOWEVER, if you can't read or don't speak English, these signs are pretty much worthless. posted by Weeping_angel at 4:43 PM on November 30, 2011
I lied. They do seem to have a couple in Spanish. So there's that. (Does haiku work in Spanish?) posted by Weeping_angel at 4:51 PM on November 30, 2011
if you can't read or don't speak English, these signs are pretty much worthless.
Except for the ones which they're putting up which will be in Spanish.
And anyway -- look around you. Most signage in the US is in English. What's even more astounding: in France, they're nearly all in French, and in Germany... ach du lieber! posted by hippybear at 4:51 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
A LOT of signage doesn't rely on English, or the ability to read. That's why so many signs have pictures. (think of the little walking man picture for a walk sign.) Even the ones with words usually rely on colors/shapes to supplement their message (stop signs are red.) posted by Weeping_angel at 4:58 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Leaves fall from the trees
Fog rises from the sidewalk
Watch your fucking step posted by Joe in Australia at 4:58 PM on November 30, 2011 [15 favorites]
You are reading this
Instead of being alert
Watch out for that — oh posted by Inspector.Gadget at 4:58 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
We see you looking
At that big building. Indef-
-inite detention posted by drjimmy11 at 5:01 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
A curbside Tanka with seasonal motif:
Toronto's maples
Put me in mind of Kasuga
My soul longs to see
The crimson pillars again
I'm under a red Audi posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:04 PM on November 30, 2011 [4 favorites]
Wait...5-8-5-7-7...crap!
Toronto's maples
Remind me of Kasuga
My soul longs to see
The crimson pillars again
I'm under a red Audi posted by TheWhiteSkull at 5:09 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
A LOT of signage doesn't rely on English, or the ability to read. That's why so many signs have pictures.
Did you even look at the NYT link?
Pictures are part of the equation. posted by hippybear at 5:24 PM on November 30, 2011
They aren't a city-wide campaign to warn people about danger. They're an extension of art into the streets in the form of warning signs. posted by hippybear at 5:29 PM on November 30, 2011
I screamed from my bike.
"That John Morse sold out!"
A car set me straight.
(title: Brokie Fixie) posted by hanoixan at 5:34 PM on November 30, 2011
I don't think think the pictures on some of those signs are terribly informative without the words. (the one with the wave, for example.)
They aren't a city-wide campaign to warn people about danger. They're an extension of art into the streets in the form of warning signs.
This, however, makes sense and I'm ok with that. posted by Weeping_angel at 5:35 PM on November 30, 2011
Poet needs an "e". :D posted by zarq at 5:41 PM on November 30, 2011
E spent on whiskey
Cannot scotch-guard poetry
Autumn tumblers full posted by cortex at 5:46 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Overheard in New York
---------------------------------------
Those plums in the fridge I consum-ed
Refreshed me in weather most humid.
A midsummer treat--
RIDE YOUR BIKE IN THE STREET!
This sidewalk's for
Me; not for you, kid! posted by The White Hat at 5:56 PM on November 30, 2011 [3 favorites]
An interesting link
But no haiku springs to mind
My brain is tired posted by Monkeymoo at 6:23 PM on November 30, 2011
Mod powers mean that
No edit window needed
MWA HA HA HA HA posted by quiet coyote at 7:35 PM on November 30, 2011
new york cops often
step off the curb at crosswalks,
leading; hence, "flat foot". posted by eddydamascene at 7:36 PM on November 30, 2011
When snow becomes slush
Watch out for taxis passing
Icewater bath time. posted by emjaybee at 7:42 PM on November 30, 2011
tight pants, no helmet
brakeless and fixed, freshly inked:
nine month half life, bus posted by the painkiller at 7:49 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
The sign clearly says
no honking, fine. You're honking.
Go back to Jersey. posted by eddydamascene at 7:55 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Tell the cabbie that
you're headed back to Brooklyn --
slams brakes, ejects you. posted by eddydamascene at 8:04 PM on November 30, 2011
Poser counts to seventeen;
Poet makes words count.
posted by cortex at 3:55 PM on November 30, 2011 [5 favorites]