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DAILY MANIFESTO

Tell GR: Do Spoilers Matter?

Posted on Tuesday, May 22 @ 17:00:00 Eastern by

In a recent post at the New York Times, literary critic Stanley Fish argues that people who care about spoilers aren't enjoying media the right way. In fact, Fish cites studies that people enjoyed stories that had been spoiled for them more than stories that hadn't been spoiled.

... subjects significantly preferred spoiled over unspoiled stories in the case of both... ironic twist stories and... mysteries.... giving away... surprises makes readers like stories better, perhaps because of the pleasurable tension caused by the disparity in knowledge between the omniscient reader and the character.

I will say that on more than one occasion I have been compelled to finish a book I had fallen out of because I read a plot summary online.

But despite that understanding position, I have to say that the trade off for many readers is unfair and that media should typically be consumed unspoiled. My review of Journey is a direct result of unspoiled enjoyment. The Avengers had minimal spoiler-y material, but I still ran out to see it on opening day to avoid any premature revelations.

In my opinion, spoilers are a concept of manners, not enjoyment. People generally know if they care enough about a piece of media to be wary of spoilers. I say, be polite and mark any spoilers, but what do you think?

Do spoilers matter?


Let it be known that this post is not an opportunity for you to ruin amazing things for everyone. There will be repurcussions for that kind of action.


Comments
  • Masterwabbit
    Masterwabbit

    Joined: Mar 2009
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 5:23 pm
    Depends on my interest of the medium in question. Take Uncharted 3 for example. I still haven't gotten around to getting it, but I do NOT want to know anything about it going into it. I want to be surprised by whatever happens in the story. Other games, like El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, I don't mind having the main premise of the game spoiled. You're Enoch on a quest through "Trippyland". Doesn't reveal the twists in the game or anything, just tells me what it's about somewhat. Then there are the blatantly obvious spoilers that mean nothing. Mario defeats Bowser. Oh no, I just spoiled the ENTIRE MARIO SERIES!!! However, no one plays the game simply to rescue Peach (again), it's more about the crazy journey to get there, from Super Mario Bros. 1 to Galaxy 2. In short: If it's integral to the game, don't spoil it.
  • C_nate
    C_nate

    Joined: Apr 2009
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 6:03 pm
    They matter but the more important question is whether or not they have an expiration date. Is it still a spoiler to say that Bruce WIllis was a ghost the whole time?

    Or what about movies you don't plan on watching anyway? I know Rosebud was the name of the sled in Citizen Kane even though I never watched the movie and don't plan to. Does that ruin the movie for me now?

    If people want to avoid spoilers, they should probably stay away from the internet until they have watched,read,played whatever it is that they don't want spoiled because the responsibility falls on them.
  • UghRochester
    UghRochester

    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 7:00 pm
    Thanks, C_Nate! Didn't you read the italics at the end of this entry?
  • UghRochester
    UghRochester

    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 7:18 pm
    Also, I agree with part of what C_Nate was saying.
  • C_nate
    C_nate

    Joined: Apr 2009
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 10:09 pm
    I did read it, which is why I changed my response from a smartassed one to a honest one and I still get get down votes. Guess people don't like being told they are responsible for themselves.
  • UghRochester
    UghRochester

    Joined: Jun 2006
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 11:45 pm
    Yeah, I agree with your last part. I don't know why I been down voted.
  • C_nate
    C_nate

    Joined: Apr 2009
    Posted: May 23rd, 2012 at 1:08 am
    I know why you have. There is a certain someone here who likes to play with the up/down votes. I know exactly who it is because every time he gives me a down vote I return the favor and he responds every single time by giving himself an up vote. Kinda childish if you ask me but what do I gnome? Know... I umm meant know of course.
  • Bras
    Bras

    Joined: Jul 2008
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 7:00 pm
    They DO matter, they make matters worse all of the time for me. Someone tells me how the book ends? I skip it. Somebody summarizes a game storyline? I lose interest. A douche mentions the final score of a football match I haven't seen but recorded? I fast forward it and only see the goals.

    You mean you knew THE AVENGERS ENDS WHEN... the credits roll?
  • Ananymous
    Ananymous

    Joined: Apr 2011
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 7:06 pm
    Spoilers are everywhere, we are a socially networked society so no matter how much you try to avoid spoilers there is always a chance you'll see or hear one even if you are careful, either through friends, facebook, enemies, television, and of course the all knowing internets. People actually go out of the way to spoil things when it comes to movies just based on the fact that they know they may be ruining it for some. I've never been one to care about posting spoilers or reading them unless I don't plan on reading, watching, or finishing a movie, game, book, whatever.
  • LawnGnome
    LawnGnome

    Joined: Apr 2007
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 7:12 pm
    I hate spoilers. I'm always really impressed when a game/movie/book/show surprises me. That NY Times critic is just using the studies to excuse his not using spoiler warnings in his columns. He's just being a dick, just like everyone else who posts spoilers without warning.
  • wildmario
    wildmario

    Joined: Jan 2007
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 7:12 pm
    I avoid spoilers to games I haven't played yet. I like to be surprised as I play since it gives me motivation to keep playing to see what happens next.
  • spartan317
    spartan317

    Joined: Dec 2005
    Posted: May 22nd, 2012 at 11:40 pm
    Spoilers only matter if you wasn't interested in watching/playing/reading the damn thing anyway.

    It's not the goal that we are here for. It's the journey. I know if I'm playing a game that I will end up winning eventually. Maybe the character won't survive but in the end I win.

    The good guy wins and learns a lesson in doing so. There. Every movie ever made has been spoiled.
    (Notable exceptions; Fallen, Se7en)

    As for books they too follow familiar paths with an 80% that you will know the ending halfway through. Like I said though it's not where it ends but how you got there that matters.

    I've never heard a spoiler that gave away everything. That and I subscribe to the philosophy of junk punching Ruinie bastardos when they open their greasy clap traps...
  • Noritama
    Noritama

    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posted: May 23rd, 2012 at 12:40 am
    Depends on the situation, but usually yes spoilers do matter.
  • tinymhg
    tinymhg

    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posted: May 23rd, 2012 at 12:49 am
    Well, I feel this is just another case of someone dictating how I should feel/think about something. "...people who care about spoilers aren't enjoying media the right way." Is how Dan paraphrased him, and Mr. Fish's "right way" is his way (and only his way). I agree with LawenGnome, I like to surprised. I don't care if Mr. Fish thinks I'm stupid the feeling is mutual.
  • wildmario
    wildmario

    Joined: Jan 2007
    Posted: May 23rd, 2012 at 7:38 am
    I see someone's been going on a down vote spree. I guess people don't like it when others don't want to have the story spoiled?
  • Noritama
    Noritama

    Joined: Feb 2012
    Posted: May 23rd, 2012 at 8:19 am
    I actually have a very funny story about spoilers should I make a thread about our experiences with spoilers. :O
  • Bras
    Bras

    Joined: Jul 2008
    Posted: May 24th, 2012 at 5:01 am
    I love spoilers when they provide enough downforce.

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