Well, it's not humorous, but they're in the streets because it's cheaper to install and maintain sewerage under pavement (macadam or whatever it's called) than under concrete, and you pretty much have to put the manhole covers over the manholes, which are themselves necessarily over the sewerage.
I think. :) m ------ "[F]aculty have an obligation to the students collectively to prescribe a required course of study designed specifically for liberal education that is comprehensive, coherent, and rigorous." -- Jerry L. Martin -----Original Message----- From: Michael Smith [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 11:00 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] A bit off topic This is a bit off topic but nevertheless an enduring mystery. It has to do with those round metal disks (previously called manhole covers, what they are called now, I don't know) which are installed on city streets in great abundance. And, they are placed in exactly the right spots so that both the right and left side wheels will (and encounter them if you drive properly in your lane. In addition, they also serve to: #1. Cause tire, shock, and suspension damage when you drive over them (for they often sink into the roadway) #2. Cause you to drive like a drunk (and risk collisions) if you don't want #1. #3. Cause major traffic disruptions when city workers feel the need to go down into them (which usually occurrs on the busiest sections at rush hour). The mystery is: Why not just put them on the sidewalks and avoid all of the above? Is it actually part of a worldwide social experiment in stress induction and management in the population at large? Is it an attempt at humor in a, perhaps, otherwise mundane job? Perhaps Tipsters have an idea. It seems an enduring mystery of human nature! :-) --Mike --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
