The Great Spoiler Debate (with spoilers!)

[JohnT]

My position is simple: if you are opening up a thread about a specific work already in release, be it an analysis of Gorecki's 3rd Symphony, a recently released movie, or an already-aired TV show, you should expect to see a discussion of specific plot points. Spoiler warnings are nice, but not needed.

However, if you bring up plot points in a thread not devoted to a specific movie/TV show/piece of music, then you should use the [ spoiler ] [ /spoiler ] tags. This even include threads like "Best ending to a movie" where one would say something like:

I really loved the ending in Casablanca where Rick,

Spoiler:

finally realizing that there are things bigger than himself, convinces Ilsa to get on the plane.

Now, there will always be a degree of subjectivity about this - everybody knows that

Spoiler:

Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are related

especially given that this famous surprise plot-twist was the driving force behind the prequels. But then... they may not.

Also, spoiler warnings are necessary when discussing unreleased works - for example, I've already seen Cinderella Man, which is to be released in a week or two, and while it might not really surprise anybody given both the history of James Braddock and the history of feel-good Hollywood fare, the fact is, in the end

Spoiler:

he wins the big fight.

What say you?

In the poll, the last two selections are for you to vote on whether threads about specific works should have spoiler tags within it.

[BeBMan]

Spoiler:

Everything should be put in spoiler tags, just to be sure

[Winston]

Options 1,2,4 & 6. But then I'm a bit JohnT-ish at times.

[molly bloom]

Dammit all, JT, I posted this in the other thread before you precpitately asked for its deletion.

Anyway:



Do you get fries with it ?

No, I think you're absolutely right with regard to unreleased/unreviewed works- it's simply a matter of courtesy to other people who are likely to be interested in the same film or book not to mention

a) the ending

b) surprises/twists

c) important plot points

because they may become enraged and come round and eat your liver, or your neighbour's ass.


If it's a general post about lots of different films, or different books, e.g., 100 Favourite War Films, My Best Loved Hallmark Greetings Cards, My Favourite Leonard Nimoy Poem, 10 Limp Bizkit c.d.s I Have Incinerated, then I think a little reckless plot/storyline/denouement badinage is allowed.

[JohnT]

Shlt.

Spoiler:

I voted incorrectly in my own poll

A dumbass I am.

Anyway, deduct one vote from "In threads devoted exclusively to a specific work, spoilers should not be assumed" and mentally place it in "In threads devoted exclusively to a specific work, spoilers should be assumed."

[Drake Tungsten]

Spoiler:

Assumption is the mother of all ****ups...

[General Ludd]

Spoilers should only be used to be annoying, or to mislead people.

[BeBMan]

Spoiler warnings could also be given in thread titles, for example when the thread is about a news article.

Something like:

"Breaking News: Aliens attack! Warning *SPOILERS*"

[molly bloom]

Or: E Coli, Listeria and Salmonella: SPOILERS !!!!!!

[BeBMan]

Yeah.

[Winston]

Or, Bill Gates and his wife, SPOILERS!!

[DeathByTheSword]

Re: The Great Spoiler Debate (with spoilers!)

Originally posted by JohnT

Now, there will always be a degree of subjectivity about this - everybody knows that

Spoiler:

Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are related

especially given that this famous surprise plot-twist was the driving force behind the prequels. But then... they may not.

WHAT I WATCHED THE MOVIES LIKE 20 TIMES AND ALWAYS TAUGHT HE WAS JOKING BUT HE WAS SERIOUS?...

this explains a lot

[Shi Huangdi]

Right, I think people should use the spoiler tag for important plot twists, or anything which would ruin the suspense of a movie, when it isn't reasonable to believe people would know the plot twist. Either that, or an indication should be put in the top of the threads that there are spoilers inside, or at the top of the OP.

[GePap]

I think people who have something "spolied" by reading a plot line in an internet forum are weird.

I can know the whole plot to a movie, even before I go, and still enjoy the movie. The lack of "revelation" at the moment has never been a big loss for me.

[chequita guevara]

I know I was pissed when Ned revealed the end of Million Dollar Baby to me.