Several signs are scattered around the nyuad campus. Their placement is curious, strictly the result of remedial policies: one can almost get an accurate map of past infringements simply by looking at where the signs are. Their mood tone is perceived as dogmatic and aggressive: No Smoking and Strictly No Smoking area.

Whenever we put a sign we should remember that the sign prescribes not only the policy itself (in this case that one cannot smoke on campus) but it also makes apparent the need of the policy reminder. A big NO SMOKING HERE sign in the cafeteria seems to suggest that we need to shout that out frequently to remind people of it. That is not the case: the instances of people actually smoking on campus are extremely rare. There is no need for a policing mood tone. The presence of signs just reflects badly on the institution and it risks to be ignored. Alternatives exist. Here is an example: a sign that day after day thanks the community, instead of policing the potential wrongdoer.

Content is the same, tone is different, hence the content will be read differently. It is most likely that the outcome will be different too.