Of course, if the sig feature was done right, it would be a separate entity in the DB, only be stored once, and not become a part of every node.

Then the css hack that allows people to not see other peoples sigs (why don't those that don't want to see them use this?), wouldn't be necessary, as sigs could be turned off as an option, then they wouldn't even consume bandwidth.

That said, I think that physiologically, it probably takes something like 1/10th of a second for the human visual cortex and brain to pattern match a recurrent sig. to it's memory.

Just as I never bother to read the monk's quip's any more (or for the last 2 3/4 years) because there is nothing new there. When the little witisisms at the top of the Other Users nodelet changed recently, my brain noticed and for a few days took in the new information. Now, I once again don't notice them.

The only time an unchanging visual (or oral) cue continues to grab my attention beyond the initial recognition period, is when it takes on a phsycological significance beyond it's content. For example, there are often tiny notes on the bottom of both print and TV ads for financial services "*Subject to status"; These bug the begeebers out of me because they invariably mean that the advert in question has just extold their virtue with words akin to "Faster, cheaper, simpler; Anyone can apply". The footnote often as not make the main content a lie.

Perhaps that's the secret behind some people's distaste for some people's sigs. They don't like the content and therefore blame the messenger? But that's life. People hold contrary opinions; value different things; prioritise in different ways. Allowing oneself to be bugged by others preferences and foibles is human, but ultimately, a waste of effort.