The Slice: Sorry, but Spokane isn’t that special

It could be argued that Spokane has several defining characteristics that make life a little different.

But most of what goes on here simply isn’t unique. And I think we have a tendency to slap the “Only in Spokane” label on various occurrences that are not really locally flavored.

That muddies the water as far as our ability to see the things that actually do make us special, for better or worse. If we imagine that practically everything is a singular quirk, then the upshot is that nothing is.

So I have a proposal.

Lots of Inland Northwesterners have lived elsewhere. And it might be to our benefit if these people would step forward and openly rebut bogus assertions that something happening here wouldn’t take place anywhere else.

Each individual can use his or her judgment about when to do this. There’s certainly no need to be argumentative. But when the opportunity arises, it would nice if our transplants would say …

“No, I saw that all the time in Overland Park, Kan., too.”

“Actually, people did the exact same thing in Sandusky, Ohio.”

“Well, all I can tell you is I used to encounter this situation in Las Cruces, N.M.”

“ ‘Only in Spokane?’ I don’t think so. Louisville is overflowing with people who do that.”

And so on. A little of that might really help us visualize how we are unique and how we aren’t.

Warm-up question: How do you react to those TV commercials (there have been at least a couple in recent years) that feature chain-reactions of people observing good deeds and quietly paying it forward?

A) I snort derisively. B) I like them. I know real life often seems to fall short. But a lot of us do believe in the magical power of good will. C) I wonder how effective they are as ads, because I can never remember the product or service. D) They remind me that if we don’t let the haters drag us down, that’s how life can be. E) I’m OK with any commercial that doesn’t feature Deion Sanders. F) I can’t help but notice that a fair number of people being helped are good-looking. G) Other.

Today’s Slice question: Who is Spokane’s MVP?