Colin (and others)
Part of the problem in a discussion such as this is that we need to
separate what we prefer what is good for us individually (or what we're
comfortable with) from what is feasible in a mass market.
Sure, being in the same age group as many others of you (will be 65 in
Jan), I use Braille for some things; but more and more rely on electronic
files for things I need to quickly reference (it's far faster searching a
file than scowering a bunch of papers given the search abilities of
files).
That, however, has nothing to do with what Harry brought up -- the
comments from Larry S of APH on labeling packaged products in stores.
I just don't see his idea as feasible as much as it might assist me --
costly, more intervention in the private sector, more potential litigation
only benefiting the attorneys and costing taxpayers even more -- and
it goes on.
Like it or not, we live in a sighted world -- I was taught that too as a
youngster along with Braille -- and, as my parents and teachers often
reminded me, you'd better get used to it.
And that hasn't changed and, thankfully, there is less and less blindness
and, while it still is an issue for the elderly -- they're not going to
learn Braille anyway tying it
to the the idea Larry has.
Braille is wonderful for personally labeling stuff but would only be a can
of worms and a pandora's box for the idea under discussion.
And governments, every time they attempt to fix something, create and mess
things worse -- see my quote at the bottom of this post.
So, conceptionally, Larry, great idea in a perfect world. But I cannot
support it if it would require enforced compliance. If manufacturers
are willing to do this voluntarily, they have my support and blessing; but
it has little value to them commercially I would suspect.
Sorry for raining on this parade; but there are far more important issues
in this world beyond a bit of greater convenience.
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere,
diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.
– Groucho Marx
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