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"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. Do this don't do that, can you read the sign."
An icon tune of American hippiness. Some view it as a rebellious anthem against societal boundaries. Others view it as a battle cry for creative freedoms. Of course, when considering the abuses of signs, also known as rules, most would have to agree that today there is little room for either view to reign supreme. The days of "No shoes No shirt No service" have given way to "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." Guess too many people with shoes and shirts, but no britches demanded service.

It is the residual effects of a societal standard ruled by insurance companies, and lawsuits. In pioneer days, Ma and Pa Kettle found a stretch of soil that tickled their fancy, and built a house. If the darned thing fell in on them, well shucks, guess Pa wasn't a real good carpenter. Today, we have to have general contractors. Not because it's required by law, but because they are the only ones who even come close to understanding all the building codes. Then there is scheduling the inspections. And filing the permits. And hiring sub contractors. And of course, having somebody to sue if the project goes south.

Tax attorneys fall into a similar category, less the lawsuit part. Because they are a fringe member of the attorney club, they get away with indemnity if their workmanship leads to the IRS seizing all your assets. Guess it's not acceptable to suffer bodily harm without repercussions, but having to move into a cardboard box behind the Quiki Mart is what you deserve for hiring the wrong guy.

The biggest change since Americas loss of innocence in the late sixties, is the sign itself. Once posted publicly, as a proud dominating intrusion against the landscape, signs have been reduced to hidden agendas, lurking within the verbiage of contracts. Yes, signs have gone covert ops. The biggest irony of this century is people hiring the very creators of these secret "clauses", to protect us from their most powerful allie, the "loophole".

I guess in the end, signs are here to stay much as they have been since mankind first engaged in non solitary existence. And just as mankind has always done, these cornerstones of civilization will continue to be exploited and modified, and exploited some more, until the whole system reaches critical mass. In the meantime, take a moment as you pass "Keep off the grass", to appreciate the simplicity found within that grandfather of the modern sign.

Learn more about this author, Stephen Surgener.
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