In the defense of the generic . . .

AKA Exceptions to "You can't please everyone.”

This is not the first time I’ve posted contradicting myself. What can I say, I’m thinking things through.

The US highway system does not need a “distinctive identity.” If I started seeing a mascot popping up on highway signage, I would be concerned the government isn’t putting enough money toward road-maintenance, and tolls are going up (haha, imagine that). I don’t want a cheerful app sending push-notifications to tell me I owe $50 on parking. The DMV would be even more of a hellscape if someone tried to make it “fun” rather than “efficient.” Same with the IRS.

So I guess the major exception to “carving out a distinctive identity" is propriety. Infrastructure should be practically transparent.*

*But even “transparent” is context dependent, and what I've hit upon is merely tone of voice. “Appropriateness.” Look at the national park signage. It’s full of character!

Ah, well. Go fish.

And already I can feel the part of my brain that thinks “propriety” is baloney trying to come up with “fun” exceptions to these exceptions (maybe an undertaker that embraced joy in remembrance would do well), so I had better finish this post here.