How long after a work comes out should people wait before speaking freely about it in the open? As a lover of stories I have great respect for narrative and a proper hatred of spoilers. As such, when dissecting the latest yarn I do my best to ward spoiler-averse people away.
But there has to be a certain point in time when there should no longer be an expectation of warning at all, when everyone who planned to watch/read it has had ample opportunity. When do you guys think that time should be?
For example, it's ridiculous to say "Spoilers Ahead": Jesus dies. Rosebud was his sled. Bruce Willis was dead the whole time. Etc.
I usually give a book series 2-3 months after completion. A TV series with several seasons gets longer, at least long enough for a person to marathon it at a decent pace.
Immediately. Why should anyone wait? If it's to be written, it should be explained in the header. If it's in person, you explain you're going to mention it before doing so. Why miss out on the freshness of a good talk with someone by waiting a few months to wait for those who haven't gotten there? But then, why force it to people who 'have' to get there late as well?
ReplyDeleteNo, no, you misunderstood what I'm asking.
DeleteI'm not asking when you can start talking about it at all. I'm asking how long before you can just dispense with the spoiler warning altogether. See the difference?
Why spoil it ever? Assuming someone's already had the time is silly. Some people haven't even heard of some things, then it gets ruined because it's been a few years and they weren't in the know. It's not their fault.
DeleteI stand by what I said, you let people know what you're going to talk about, and you then continue to talk about it freely.
I see where you're coming from.
DeleteNevertheless, I would feel no obligation to check if everyone's read (or watched) The Lord of the Rings before talking about it with people today. it's been years. On the other hand, I didn't go around talking about how the people in The Village [2004] were actually living in the present time inside a wildlife sanctuary the week after the movie came out. But now? It's been eight years. No spoiler warning from me.
I think you should be able to talk about things immediately, but maybe ask people if they've seen or read it yet. There are things that are very old I've still not read or watched yet. I think the main part of my argument is that you can talk to anyone immediately as long as they want to hear about it. There are people who don't mind spoilers so you can talk to them about it even though they've not experienced it. It's one of the benefits of the internet I guess, you can find people to talk to about things much easier in something like a forum, and you can label a thread as containing spoilers to keep out the people who don't want to see them.
ReplyDeleteYou missed my question, too.
DeleteWhen does the expectation of a spoiler warning expire?
Edited the post to try and make things clearer.
Well I would say never, but that's just how much I hate spoilers. I think most people would say a few months. Like as soon as a movie isn't in the cinemas anymore, anyone who was going to see it probably has.
DeleteThis is a good question. I've wondered that myself. For me if its over ten years I'll say it inless I'm around kids who might not have got a chance to see it yet (like Alien jumps out of guys chest or dinosaurs escape) but if its a new thing I'll talk about it openly after eight months inless around older people who might take longer to get around to seeing things.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is important to take the audience into account. But then, I don't see much point talking about things the way I talk about them to children.
Deletewhoa, everyone's arguing. hmm..
ReplyDeletewhy am I still confused with this?
It's a good sign. We all like stories.
DeleteI guess another way of putting it is: How long after a movie comes out do you wait before talking to everyone about the ending, even people you didn't see the movie with?
Good question. I think it depends on what you are spoiling and who you are talking to. I personally try to always avoid using them, but I don't get mad when people post them, it's my own damn fault for visiting discussions or articles for something I plan to read/watch/play.
ReplyDeleteHaha, that's a valid point. I've gotten mad at myself a few times for YouTubing something and stumbling over a spoiler.
Delete