Taken from the wonderful world of Youtube. Not my video.
I am majorly creeped out by the talking crosswalks. The first time I heard them I was in Norman and walking to the sorority house. Previously, the crosswalk made happy chirp sounds when it was time to walk. I thought those were pleasant, and I enjoyed them. Then one day, I pressed the button, and it told me to wait. "WHAT?! Is someone hiding in the bushes???" was my first thought. Then I realized there was a robot talking to me. "Oh hello Mr. Robot, let's be best friends" was not my next thought. Instead it was, "This is scary, why is the crosswalk talking to me?!" I really thought that if I jaywalked that flames would come out from the stop light and burn me alive.
Rather rapidly, it seems like most cities are adapting to this style. I feel like I am living in a world of Big Brother that stalks me. Yes, it cares about my safety. But it does not care about my desire to cross the street when there is a break in traffic. Instead, it guilts me into waiting an extra 2-3 minutes until it gives me permission. I have always been a rule-follower, and this robot of a crosswalk has found its way to control my life.
Does anyone else find these weird/super creepy/or ..*cough*..even awesome?
Note: I understand-- they are great for the blind. I am not hating on the handicapped, and I am very glad that this exists for you! I don't want them to go away, however, they still creep me out.
