What is right speech for weather people? We see a lot of hyperbole and story spun out of scant possibilities. Today in both newspapers there were big articles on El Nino, though the storm supposedly hitting us last night was a bit of spitting. There is a need for forecast, so one can judge the perils of biking vs the bus, and consider grabbing an umbrella. For car commuters, it helps to know this underpass is flooded and that road may be shortly.
But then it gets crazy: dire predictions, scare tactics, wind warnings, stories of the tree falling on a house and crushing the owner, video of the tornado taken from a truck right in its path, pictures of a flooded back yard, seen over and over again. This part is not weather, it is high drama. Anything to catch your eye. Ratings over reality. The desperation of the lonely weather channel. Not right speech, not truth or anything close to it, not helpful, but to some, entertaining.
It would be nice if the weather people could stick to what is happening today. Be in the moment, so we could deal with what is likely on our plate right now, instead of obsessing over the house or car floating or blowing away. Their job is to help us stay practical and safe. I know, it's boring, and they get tired up there on planet TV. But less prediction and more guidance on how to get from here to there right now, today, would be helpful.
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