One of philosophy’s great little bits of business is the “performative utterance” – words which carry out the action they describe. Think “I apologize.”

Lest there be any doubt, this sign on East Central this morning not only described the closedness of the bike lane ahead, but also ensured that its description was carried out. (At least it did until Scot and I fixed it. There are times when “I apologize” does not mean what it says.)