Even for me it is case by case. There have been some spoilers that I wasn't happy to get, but I can't say one has ever ruined a story (whether show or book) for me.
The worst case of spoiler I've ever seen was a friend giving away the fact that Saul Tigh was a cylon to another friend who was only just halfway through season 2 of BSG. In a situation like that, it kills so much that the writers are working towards in season 3.
One spoiler (and I'm gonna be vague) that I got for aDwD that I didn't look for (found it by accident reading an entry in the Wiki of Ice and Fire for a certain character) was about a switcheroo that was done. I knew it was done, and when I read a certain scene I noticed clues Martin gave us, but what I didn't get spoiled (and was indeed a surprise to me) was WHO did the switcharoo.
The worst case of spoiler I've ever seen was a friend giving away the fact that Saul Tigh was a cylon to another friend who was only just halfway through season 2 of BSG. In a situation like that, it kills so much that the writers are working towards in season 3.
One spoiler (and I'm gonna be vague) that I got for aDwD that I didn't look for (found it by accident reading an entry in the Wiki of Ice and Fire for a certain character) was about a switcheroo that was done. I knew it was done, and when I read a certain scene I noticed clues Martin gave us, but what I didn't get spoiled (and was indeed a surprise to me) was WHO did the switcharoo.
A spoiler is learning about a plot occurrence from an outside source before seeing/reading it in the actual story. When the story itself tells you something, then that's how the author intends you to learn about it.
And that's great that you would still read the last Wheel of Time book if you knew all the details of how it ended, but surely you don't think you speak for everyone, and that's exactly my point. Not everyone is okay with spoilers. It's a very individual and case-by-case thing, and so there is no one size fits all solution except the status quo, where spoilers are marked and people can either choose to read them or look the other way.
And that's great that you would still read the last Wheel of Time book if you knew all the details of how it ended, but surely you don't think you speak for everyone, and that's exactly my point. Not everyone is okay with spoilers. It's a very individual and case-by-case thing, and so there is no one size fits all solution except the status quo, where spoilers are marked and people can either choose to read them or look the other way.
Death to the Regressives of the GOP and the TeaParty. No mercy for Conservatives. Burn them all at the stake for the hateful satanists they are.
This message last edited by imlad on 12/08/2011 at 09:10:45 PM
Interesting article: "Spoilers don't spoil anything."
- 11/08/2011 08:33:42 PM
1890 Views
It's probably one of those things that works "in general"
- 11/08/2011 08:43:03 PM
1039 Views
I sometimes find spoilers can ADD tension (a *MAJOR* aDwD spoiler contained within!!!)
- 12/08/2011 03:02:18 AM
950 Views
Here's a rebuttal.
- 11/08/2011 09:02:06 PM
1196 Views
That rebuttal is about as strong as the original article (not very 
).
- 11/08/2011 10:15:36 PM
1201 Views
).
- 11/08/2011 10:15:36 PM
1201 Views
I think in many cases there certainly is an "intended" way to enjoy a book...
- 11/08/2011 11:17:30 PM
940 Views
Tor.com has a vested interest in us not getting spoilers
- 12/08/2011 03:24:20 AM
864 Views
I wouldn't call either of those spoilers ...
- 12/08/2011 01:38:08 PM
746 Views
I agree it is case by case
- 12/08/2011 09:08:25 PM
896 Views
It really depends on the story, and of course on the reader.
- 11/08/2011 11:03:01 PM
1001 Views
I pretty much agree with your opinion here. It depends on the spoiler and the book.
- 12/08/2011 12:45:02 PM
898 Views
It depends on what you want to get out of a story
- 19/08/2011 12:16:42 AM
884 Views