Where the danger lies for me is if I'm reading a thread about a book I've already read, and a recent post from someone who's further along could say, "This reminds me of what happened in the novel that came out last month..." and then they proceed to give away plot points about something recent in a thread that's actually about something else. THAT is what I object to. It's inconsiderate.
I agree with this and think people need to use common sense when it comes to discussing information in other novels that aren't directly related to the thread in question. Having said that, I don't believe that people purposely avoid doing this in an effort to be rude. People make mistakes and forget. It happens.
Timewalker said:
It wasn't the spoiling of books, it was the attitude of "Disagree with the decision BEFORE it's made, and forever after, shut up" that was being compared to slavery.
I should explain my point in saying that. I don't have a problem with debate and discussion about a particular topic. But I think it's inappropriate to constantly question the decisions of other people when they have shown themselves to be thoughtful and considerate. I used to be a member of a forum whose moderators were quick to stamp out any dissent by issuing warnings, bans, and numerous "my way or the highway" speeches that alienated several longtime posters, myself included.
I've not found the mod staff at this site to be that way. Every action I've seen them take has been carefully considered before being undertaken. This includes their decision about the rule of six-months for mandatory spoiler tags when discussing novels. It's perfectly acceptable to question the wisdom of a decision before it's made. But once the decision has been reached and implemented, it is the responsibility of everyone to stand the behind the decision and support it.
If people believe that a decision has been improperly or without consideration for all factors involved, the best approach would be for these individuals to present the moderators with
new information that may facilitate
new discussions and the implementation of a
new policy. My problem with the way this situation has been handled is that the moderators have made a decision that- at face value- seems to be fair. But those opposed to the decision have insisted on repeating the same rhetoric they were using
before the decision was made instead of presenting the moderators with information illustrating why the six-month rule doesn't work (as suggested by another poster).
The thing is, we have a rule now on spoilers that DOESN'T WORK. So what some of us are trying to say is to be considerate and don't spoil things for others just because a book is six months old (or even older).
Except that you've provided
absolutely no proof that the rule doesn't work. You've only whined repeatedly because you don't agree with its existence. Another poster made an excellent suggestion that you and your supporters poll the members of this forum to determine what they think the best alternative policy should be. You've ignored this suggestion to this point and continued spewing the same tired rhetoric you were resorting to prior to the six-month rule's conception. We don't know if the rule works or not because it hasn't been in place long enough. What's more, people like you are determined to do whatever you can to undermine both it and the mods because you have an agenda you believe is superior (despite no proof of said superiority).
JWolf said:
Have consideration and forget any such "it's OK after six month to ruin books for others rule". Is anyone going to follow this rule or are you going to use spoiler codes because it's the right thing to do?
It's not your place to tell other people what's right or wrong where this forum is concerned. You're not a moderator and are no more important than any other poster here. You've repeatedly whined, bitched, and moaned because the mods have made a decision that you don't agree with. You've provided absolutely no statistical evidence that the rule doesn't work, nor have you suggested a suitable alternative that other posters agree with. You've whined, whined, and whined some more, as if throwing tantrum after tantrum is somehow going to have an impact on how this site is run.
You've also repeatedly attacked the character of other posters by suggesting that people are intentionally ruining books you've not read as a way of spiting you. Yet you've no proof of this, either. Why do you believe that everyone here must watch out for you when you've shown absolutely no consideration whatsoever for the rights, opinions, and feelings of other members? Who are you to tell other people how to behave when you've no authority to do so?
This situation reminds me of pedestrians trying to cross a busy street. The law says that pedestrians have the right of way (as they should). But anyone crossing a street should realize that he or she must look both ways before trying to cross. It's common sense. Cars can't stop as easily as people can. And accidents can be avoided if people take the time to watch out for themselves rather than assuming that someone else will be doing it for them.
The same is true of this forum. Each of us has a duty to follow the rules the moderators have set down. Each of us also has a responsibility to be courteous to other posters when it comes to discussion new novels or works that they've not yet read. But it also falls on individual posters to have enough sense to avoid clearly marked and titled threads if they've not read the book in question, as it's entirely plausible key details of the novel will be divulged there. A poster has no one to blame but himself if he opens a clearly marked thread about a book and reads it before reading the book. It's a matter of willpower and common sense. Have enough self-restraint not to the click the mouse button.
--Sran
I spent a lot of years where food was a struggle and any new books (or even 2nd-hand) were undreamed-of. Also, as some have pointed out, books don't simultaneously appear in all bookstores at the same time. And not everyone has a Kindle or other e-reader. So it's entirely possible that a book can come out and it can take someone a lot longer than 6 months to actually get it, never mind read it.
