One week ago today there was a winter storm that was supposed to cover Asheville in a few inches of snow and ice. While in the end all we got was a dusting, and the worst of the storm missed the city, many people were spooked enough to close most schools, libraries and small businesses.

To the city's credit - the bus service remained open and ran on schedule the entire day. Otherwise, the working poor would have been stuck on the streets after their employers closed closed shop after 11am.

Keep in mind that even if the brunt of the storm had hit us, it would have only been four or five inches. Enough to close roads in the suburbs, perhaps; but hardly a regional catastrophe. After all, we are in the mountains - it's not like snow is an anomaly here.

As far as I can tell, the difference between those who took the ice in stride, and those who reacted as if Godzilla were approaching the city - was the source of information they were getting about the storm-front.

Case in point: My co-workers who did not have cable TV showed up at the office on-time. Those who did have have cable were either late or stayed home altogether.

Obviously, one blogger's observations of his office's attendance are hardly scientific - but it seems to fit an overall observation about heavy television viewers: They are easily spooked.

Read counterpoint here.

Tags: television - snow - cable tv - Eek! Snow is coming! Be afraid! Ooga Booga!