Posted on 04/12/2015 4:38:31 AM PDT by Daffynition
Just as soon as the Internet got over whether "The Dress" is white and gold or blue and black, another viral debate has been sparked by a photograph of a cat.
The photograph shows the cat halfway through climbing a staircase, prompting the question, is the cat going up or going down the stairs?
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Perhaps in certain Eastern European countries they might build a staircase with steps for risers and risers for steps. But I doubt it.
Not so fast.
I say UP !!
Yes, there is a tripping hazard.
The steps look like poured concrete.
It looks like the builder used a 2X8 for the riser and the form to pour the concrete. It is not unusual for concrete to “sink” shortly after it is poured.
I’ve seen it a hundred times.
Down. The tread surface must be atop each step because they would put a raised edge of wood upon every step for the surface.
I must admit though, that is the only tell. If the stair risers were flush, it would be impossible for me to tell if the cat was going up or down since there is no reference frame by which to know, as the cat’s paws are not seen on either surface.
It is a shame the stair treads protrude over the risers because it would be a real head scratcher apart from that.
If he's coming down, it's a wall, there's no landing, and the walls run right into it, making it a dead end with some mysterious light source.
So I say he's coming up.
No treads, just risers. I have seen similar stairs in this country, in outside situations.
You’re probably right about the concrete. The second step in front of the cat seems to show a small gap where the concrete shrank away from the riser.
‘Wow’ is my only comment. /s
Down.
Tread overhang and infill space on the stringer sides.
I like your explanation.
The DOWN explanation because of the tread lip is just a little too pat. And it doesn’t jibe with all the second order stuff, like the direction that gravity seems to be acting on the cat.
So what is the answer to the protruding riser? Is the 2X8 just a form that gets removed or is it a permanent part of the stairs? If it’s permanent I guess you’d just plane it down so it’s not a trip hazard.
I think the answer lies in the Ulam spiral.
You oughta see how he built the steps to the basement... treads laid on top of 2x4 cleats half-ass screwed through the cleat into the side of the stringers with two drywall screws on each side. All the weight on the tread is carried by the shearing strength of four № 12 drywall screws.
I nearly broke my leg (or worse) when one of the stairs gave way.
So what is the answer to the protruding riser? Is the 2X8 just a form that gets removed or is it a permanent part of the stairs? If it’s permanent I guess you’d just plane it down so it’s not a trip hazard
I suspect the 2X8 “form” was intended to be permanent if you consider the length of the tread would seem way to short if it were removed.
Another clue that the 2X8 is a riser, is that there are additional pieces of what looks like wood along the wall that would have been used to support the 2x8 form.
You can tell by the steps that he is going down. Steps don’t have lips on them that might cause a fall.
ping to Post 53 for today’s picture of Shit Rock and The Purr Monster.
Down.
That this is even in question is......................confusing! Though I suppose there may be idiots that build trip hazards into their stairs.
Hard to believe anyone would think they are looking down the stairway when they’re looking directly at the tread nosing. Even the camera angle can’t hide the difference between the narrower rise and the wider tread...
I want to hear form the Photographer.
One might think that they’d come forward at some point.. given the huge “infamy’ of their photograph..
every time I look at the photograph ..i change my mind
Hard to say, I would think up because there is the
look that the steps end in a vertical surface, but
most steps don’t have a raised lip.
Actually the question should really be...
Is the cat alive or dead?
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