Spoilers are rampant online and can ruin the plot for those who want to avoid them. Some fans hunt down spoilers with enthusiasm, while others hate them. Willful netiquette suggests using “spoiler” in the post’s subject title to allow readers to avoid them. It is bad form to include too much information in post titles.
Let’s say you just logged into your favorite web forum or chat room. You’re happily reading some recent discussion about a favorite television series when an insider’s poster reveals a key upcoming point about a character’s fate! She dies?! Really?!, you think to yourself in shock. But soon the shock is replaced by irritation. Like in a bad accident, you couldn’t look away, and now the plot has been ruined for you. You just read a spoiler.
There’s an old saying that there are no secrets in Hollywood, and since the internet has become a household pastime, there aren’t many secrets anywhere! Spoilers run rampant online, and many turn out to be true. For those who want to avoid spoilers, participating in newsgroups, web forums, or chat rooms can be tricky business.
But not everyone is against the infamous spoiler. Some fans can’t wait for the storylines to unfold and hunt down spoilers with utter doggedness. These folks are also usually eager to be the first to bring back the hunt “loot” to the newsgroup they call home. There’s a certain satisfaction in providing a much-needed spoiler for online friends. For these folks, knowing ahead of time makes the wait more delightful, as they can’t wait to see how the spoiler unfolds.
While a current television series is a good example to explain what a spoiler is, books and movies are also prone to spoilers. This is especially true if the book or film is part of an ongoing series, such as the Harry Potter franchise.
While some people absolutely hate spoilers and some people love them, many people have divided loyalties. For some, a spoiler might be fine for one show, but unwanted for another. Others may find that they don’t want to be spoiled for a certain event, but generally don’t mind reading spoilers.
Fortunately, willful netiquette deals with the problem quite effectively. If a post contains spoiler information, the word “spoiler” should be noted in the post’s subject title, preferably in all caps. When people see, Attention! SPOILERS! they have the option of switching the seat if they wish.
In some cases it may be prudent to include the subject of the spoiler in the title without revealing what it is. For example, you could title a spoiler like this: Warning! (character name) SPOILERS! o SPOILERS on the season finale!.
In all cases it is bad form to include too much information in post titles, as it leaves no room for avoidance. Therefore, avoid putting things like OMG! Ken shot him! or she is pregnant again! in your subject title. Even after an episode airs there will be people who either had to see it or haven’t gotten to see it yet. They might scan post titles and discussions carefully selecting certain things to read. With just a little cooperation, discussion groups can be enjoyed by everyone, spoiler fans and non-fans alike.
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