All local TV newscasters are Stepford robots, but the Boston newscasters are extra-offensive, I feel, in the way they reinforce feelings of fear and trepidation when heavy snow comes along. Every line of copy they read says “uh-oh, be careful, this is a concern,” etc. It’s challenging and inconvenient — okay, unpleasant — when you venture outdoors, yes, but to this Los Angeleno’s eyes snowstorms are beautiful, and not just visually.
Like any mass imposition of adversity, snowstorms are summoners of the spirit. They bring out the best in people. Boston has been besieged by kindliness over the last few days — people holding the arms of total strangers in danger of falling, pushing strangers’ cars that are stuck in ice and slush, constantly shovelling steps and walkways, being extra-friendly, etc. It’s a very good place to be, vibe-wise.
