Lets get something straight

[weswilson]

I really don't think I need to go over this, but then again, I've thought that before.

Problem: I don't particularly care for spoilers.

Details: I'm a sharp guy. I can watch a movie preview in fast forward on my TIVO and still catch visual imagery that will stick with me. I'll see just a flash of an image, but my mind will dissect that image into logical components. I'll find keys to the main plot lines, I'll realize why the director has chosen that angle for the shot, and I'll strap together dozens of partial impressions on ways the plot will zig and zag. Truth be told, I don't like it. It ruins my experience and makes me watch movies as some kind of meta-construction rather than as an entertainment form.

Problem: Some people think it's funny... or harmless... to post spoilers.

Details: Irony is a great thing. Making some kind of social comment by degrading what people care about can often be socially enlightening. I'm not arguing with the basic core of teh lulz.

Problem: It's not funny to steal time from me.

Details: There are certain movies I'm going to see and books I'm going to read. Posting spoilers to activities I'm going to participate in robs me of the time I was going to spend enjoying those events. I am not going to change my behaviors just because you ruined the twists... so your desire to create an ironic backdrop to my activities serves no purpose other than to suck enjoyment out of the things I like. It's not funny... it's just mean.

As such:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is coming out soon. My wife and I will both be reading this book. Last time one came out, a friend of mine decided it would be funny to post that annoying spoiler that made it on t-shirts and ytmnd sites. When confronted about it, this person got defensive and abusive... claiming that I was creating drama by being upset. No, the truth is that trying to ruin the good times of others is creating drama. If you feel the need to create drama in my life, then please let me know and I'll move on. No hurt feelings... no anger... just the recognition that I have a finite amount of time in my life, and would prefer not to have someone near me spoiling the things that I pursue for enjoyment. If you like having me around, but still insist on your ironic social commentary, then please post it on a filter I can't see.

I'm busy... I don't get to see every movie or read every book like I used to. Please take these things into consideration when you think you're being cute...

Comments

[9jack9.livejournal.com]

You should probably just abstain from internets until you finish reading the book. Whatever happens is going to be echoing across the ether within an hour after the roll out. Seriously, I predict the half-blood spoilerage will look like a teddy bear picnic in comparison.

[weswilson]

Yeah... I know... I'm definitely reigning in my internet sights.

[girlvinyl.livejournal.com]

Is this because I said snape killed ginny weasley? I was just kidding!!!

[weswilson]

I'll be snape... you be Ginny... Le Petite Morte.

[theinnocence.livejournal.com]

the one armed man did it :p
(i know, i know. this is annoying and everybody in their brother is gonna post a smartass comment)

[weswilson]

That's ok... I love good smartass... :)

[tarpo.livejournal.com]

What has me pissed is some dipshit added me as a friend and like a fool I looked at who they were and there were spoilers in their profile..

Basically it confirms that the internet is just a bunch of fuckers..

[weswilson]

ouchie

[fahkingnut.livejournal.com]

I hope my mini-reviews don't fall into this category. I try very hard not to give away anything about the story and only if I thought the movie was good or bad, if it should be seen in the theatre or wait for the DVD, or what stood out about the movie the most like plot, acting, fx, action, or a mix or something else.

I'm really sorry if they have fallen into this category. I've never meant to spoil movies for anyone, just give them a simple heads-up.

I know not everyone will agree with my reviews, but at least they know who I am instead of one of these "film critics."

Love & Hugs,
FahKingNut

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

Now see, you -- you're classy.

You come right out and say 'I hope I didn't do this, if I did, I didn't mean to, and if I did, I'm sorry.'

That's great.

Thank you.

Today my faith in the internet has risen a little because you're out there being decent.

[weswilson]

Absolutely not. A good review can do a job of sharing without spoiling, and a good reviewer can even include spoilers in a manner that warns people like me not to read.

I have no problems with you... ever.

[dmedicus.livejournal.com]

I am with you. I cannot stand when someone has to ruin a movie or book by telling me what happens. It really pisses me off.

[weswilson]

I had a friend once who went to see Unbreakable on opening night. He came back saying, "Oh god, Wes... you're gonna hate it. This was one of the worst movies I've ever seen!" and the told me the whole plot. I listened, because I trusted him. It ended up being one of my favorite movies of the genre, and I didn't get to share in some of the exploratory joy a first viewing would afford.

[ferriludant.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on spoilers. Like you, I'm especially vulnerable to them. Case in point: my children once spoiled what I'm sure would have otherwise been an exceptional ride by saying: "Dad, you'll live this movie. It has a lot of plot twists". That was enough to have me predicting (correctly) all of the major surprises in the plot, instead of riding with the movie.

It doesn't take much to be taken out of immersion and that willing suspension of disbelief, and back into the meta state.

[weswilson]

Yep... all you have to do is say, "You'll love the twist at the end", and my movie experience is hampered. Suddenly, I'm trying to figure it all out before I cross the finish line.

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

Beautifully spoken.

I have a great hatred for mean people who have their fun and get their laughs by hurting/upsetting/ruining the fun for other people.

I don't even like that Harry Potter spoiler meme [which I know for a fact is fake] because people are reacting so strongly to any possibility of spoilerage.

But you lay out the reasons to not like spoilers better than I've ever seen.

Thank you.

[weswilson]

No problem!

Your announcement of a verified spoiler got me worried.

[porktruck.livejournal.com]

You're safe from me! The only things I could possibly disclose right now are the thrilling conclusion of The Wiggles' Cold Spaghetti Western and the results of Madeline's appendectomy. Ooo, I could also tell you whether or not Sam ever gets that dude to eat the green ham. But I'm not gonna steal the fun :)

[weswilson]

hahahhahaha...

Thank you... I'm sure I will watch the age bracket of my literature shift down a few brackets soon... heh

[porktruck.livejournal.com]

Ah yes. And you are going to love it! Because little Duncan knows not if Sam's friend is going to eat those green eggs and ham. And his Mom and Dad I'm sure will have him riveted again and again with a dramatic interpretation that an epic battle like that deserves :)

[nsingman.livejournal.com]

A reasonable expression and explanation, Wes. The only thing you might add is that there is an issue of aging in spoilers, and thus there ought to be a statute of limitations, or some such thing. It's understandable to get miffed because someone tells you that Squibblebock imprisoned Bert and Ernie with the Gwerbus of Magickal Spellification in a book that came out yesterday. It's quite another if you get upset because you overhear people discussing the ending a year from release or publication (and I'm sure you wouldn't).

The key is a word in your last sentence: consideration. A little more of that would go a long way.

[weswilson]

True... but I also believe that anyone can be suitably vague, even after many, years.

I knew all about Rosebud... and I learned it from Charles Schultz... the jerk.

[devilturnip.livejournal.com]

I do have to say that your bias against movie previews has in the past interfered with my ability to enjoy previews. I'm so busy looking around the theater and wondering if you're actually going to show that I don't watch the previews. When you finally do show up five minutes after the actual movie's opening credits roll, I'm so distracted that I don't even remember what the movie previews were. Way to ruin my enjoyment.

[weswilson]

We'll work this out between the sheets.