Entry for June 21, 2007

Have you noticed the new speed signs which are appearing throughout the UK? The electronic ones that tell you exactly how fast you're travelling. If you're above the speed limit they display a little frowning, sad face, and if you're within the speed limit they display a little smiley face. They seem to be appearing everywhere and they are annoying me.
I'm not annoyed per se by speed cameras. In fact, I think they're a pretty good thing. What I'm annoyed about is my reaction to the new cameras. If I am cruising along a little above the speed limit and the little frowny face appears, I immediately feel a little despondant and rather disappointed in myself for I have made the sign frown. And when I drop within the proper limit, and the smiley face appears, I feel my mood lift, because I have made the sign happy. I give myself a little mental pat on the back.
I am so shallow that I need the approbation of a little pixelated sign. I know on an intellectual level that the sign is not human. I appreciate that it is a collection of lights and computer equipment, and yet, on an emotional level, I want to please the sign. I have it within my power to make it happy or sad, and I feel that this is a terrible weight of responsibility. It is me who is responsible for its mood. Sometimes when I make it sad I feel that I should stop the car and just go an stroke it for a little while, or maybe take it out to the pub for a couple of hours.