The persistence of names originally uploaded by steelmonkey

A sign warning about the premises being video recorded. Note the use of 'video tape': it's unlikely that the security system still relies on loads of video tape instead of digital storage, but the language still reflects the old concepts.

When do concepts fade away? Compare with intentionally retaining language/structure/imagery for familiarity's sake: this is not such a case - there are no functional advantages to using 'tape', since just the word 'video' suffices to convey the general nature of the surveillance. Unless the word 'tape' is still a good synonym for 'record'.

Where is the graveyard of dead words?

Outside a "mall" in Abuja, Nigeria: a blackboard advertising real-estate for rent. Interested people can inquire at the GLO shop next to the sign.

As a marketing device, this is an example of cross-media communication that relies on several infrastructures to make it work. Discovery of this information relies on the architecture of the physical space: roads, sidewalks and the proximity to a public space to bring this information to potential buyers. Note the careful placement of the sign in the unpaved area next to the paved sidewalk, so as to keep it visible to both pedestrians and passing or stopped motorists.

The second infrastructure is the social network at the GLO shop (cellphone airtime shops are common social hubs in Nigeria). Delegating the job of answering queries about the ads to the shop relies on the fact that, as a social hub and a low-margin business that relies on volumes, the GLO shop is constantly manned to ensure that potential airtime buyers will always find someone at the shop. The constancy enables the side business of helping potential renters with information about the ads.

The third infrastructure is, of course, the cellular phone network. Note the cellphone number scrawled at the bottom of the board. Given the importance of mobile phones as a method of communication in this country, this is practically a bonafide calling card and authenticator of intent all rolled into one.

Targeted advertising? Take that, Google!

This object was at Pike Place Market in Seattle (map). While it looks rather like an IKEA creation, it seems more likely that it was cobbled together. Note the grime (large), probably from lack of use, and the straps connecting the top fasteners to the bottom support bar. Also note that this on a slope - so the green seat is closer to the ground than the red one...

Encounters with objects like this (which do not immediately make sense) invariably involve a moment of uncomprehension - as we are trying to understand what the creator might have intended this object to do (give two tired city dwellers a brief rest, perhaps), it occurs to us that the creator might have designed the object for what he intends us to do. This is an act of social engineering that we are not quite prepared for. We withdraw. If we are somewhat paranoid, we do not even examine it, because we do not want to be seen peering at something unremarkable, attempting to discover its secrets, because everyone else probably knows already, and the joke would be upon us.

It might well be that the construction is simply the result of improvisation, but the opacity of designer intent keeps us away. How often does this happen unnoticed in designed products - that people don't use something because they don't understand it? What are the social costs of using (or misusing) something?