So it seems that the reality of elevator "door close" buttons is rather less dramatic than Radiolab and the NYTimes imply: the "door close" button is perfectly functional, but details of the 1990 ADA mean that most of the time people are pressing it the elevator controller isn't permitted to close the door due to ADA rules. As far as I can tell, outside of the ADA minimum door time, door close buttons work just fine.
Raised panels2025 Oct 24youtube.com
This YouTube video delves into one of those little architectural detail things that are ubiquitous in western culture but that I've never spared even the slightest thought for. Basically, it's fascinatingly nerdy, something right up my alley. Well worth the 8-ish minutes.