Why Do I Notice The Small, Absurd Things?

I’m at a grant writing workshop, at a facility out by LAX.  In the elevator, I noticed this text:

Should the elevator door fail to open or the elevator become inoperative;

Please do not become alarmed.  Press the button marked “Alarm” to summon assistance.

Methinks that button ought to be relabeled, if you don’t want me to become alarmed.  Or perhaps you want me not to become concerned, or hysterical, but alarmed is perfectly fine.  But, pretty much by definition, I’m not going to hit a button labeled “alarm” unless I’m alarmed.

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