On edge today

So reality that is the end of recess week has come knocking on my door and wants to hit me hard in my face. I can't even tell what happened in the last week. One moment it was Monday and the next, Sunday. Today. Now. Okay, chill. I only need to survive tomorrow. I mean, it's just one midterm, right? Who needs to study for those things anyway?

So, serious business now. Sometime during recess week the OHS thought it appropriate to highlight the dangers of ledges in our building. They have pasted these laminated signs that say "DANGER/ Please do not sit on the ledge" at every accessible ledge in the block. I was quite shocked, and honestly, slightly insulted, when I first saw those signs.



Firstly, they are an eyesore, and quite intrusive because they are practically visible in every corner. These posters also state what I am assuming to be painfully obvious, making it quite disrespectful of the average undergraduate's common sense.

I personally believe that anyone stupid enough to climb the ledge would also be stupid enough to ignore the signs (pun not intended) anyway. I have a classic example to prove this: Just the other night I saw a guy clog up the pantry sink despite the very kind reminders to clear one's food scraps before washing, nicely postered on the wall. Dumbfounding, isn't it?

Yet, I suppose that comparison is a bit unfair since the ledge situation is clearly a breach of safety. The warning signs in this case are not so much a preventive measure as they are an absolution of responsibility. Given the presence of these posters, the first person to fall off the ledge would have to bear the burden of his own silliness, and the OHS can then laugh to themselves and say "I told you so!"

But really, aren't there other ways of issuing this precaution? I thought Prof C.'s explanation on facebook had a more convincing appeal than these ridiculous posters. And imagine what idiots we Tembusians will look like in open house tours? Pffft. Ledge-sitting uni kids. Really, I propose sending out a mass email, something short and readable, and most importantly, sensibly written. Take down the posters. Let us have some of our dignity back, please.