# Shouldn't spoiler boxes be restricted to "spoilers"? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 25, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265 "2011-07-25T13:57:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/61 "2011-07-25T20:46:14Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Yes. You have way too much time on your hands. You need to back away from your keyboard and spend more time with your cats, your dogs, your family, or at least at your local Wal-Mart. You are taking this message board “Way-Too-Seriously”. Yeah, you know, my next ATMB thread is going to be about gratuitous personal commentary. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/62 "2011-07-25T20:51:24Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Yeah, you know, my next ATMB thread is going to be about gratuitous personal commentary. ZING! ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/63 "2011-07-25T21:33:26Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Yeah, you know, my next ATMB thread is going to be about gratuitous personal commentary. See what I mean? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/64 "2011-07-25T21:40:56Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I don’t agree with the OP, but I do think that,in general,nested spoiler boxes are an invention of Satan,and anyone using them should be taken away and flogged. 😃 Satan’s going to have a busy time with you, dude! ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/65 "2011-07-25T22:01:40Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > As a general practice, I’d like it to be clear what the spoiler is spoiling. I agree with this. However, I don’t think it should be an enforced rule, just a matter of etiquette. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/66 "2011-07-25T23:14:33Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > But why make people take such an unnecessary risk for trivial reasons? Why not require a specific explanation or warning of the contents? Ack! If you want to bring it to people’s attention that some people find this use of the spoiler box annoying, and to encourage them to avoid said usage, then of course that’s totally ok. But, _please_, let’s not go endorsing more niggling rules about how people can and can’t post. Anyway, this is something that I’ve never noticed to be an issue. Could you link to some examples of what you consider to be ambiguous or problematic uses of the spoiler box? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/67 "2011-07-25T23:49:14Z")
I absolutely agree with this. Other things that need to change: 1. We should only allow “Radio Buttons” if the selection choice is related in some way to radio equipment, stations and/or personalities 2. We should eliminate any of the “Smilies” that do not have an upward curved mouth 3. We should dis-allow any “Threads” that do not pertain to either the act of sewing or the commercial manufacture or trade of thread ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/68 "2011-07-26T00:21:47Z")
Cute joke, but do you really think that this is just a matter of persnicketiness about terminology? I’m trying to frame this as an issue of effective communication with the purpose of avoiding ambiguity and communication errors. There is a reason for the very existence of spoiler boxes – because there are a lot of people, like me, who really care about spoilers. Removing certainty to one extent or another dampens the ability of spoiler boxes to do what they’re meant to do. And some uses of spoiler boxes are just stupid, like for boxing curse words. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/69 "2011-07-26T03:05:35Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Cute joke, but do you really think that this is just a matter of persnicketiness about terminology? Ummm… Yes? (Don’t hate me, bro!) ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/70 "2011-07-26T03:19:03Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Cute joke, but do you really think that this is just a matter of persnicketiness about terminology? Yes and no. Yes because if it was called a “Hidden Text” box I think your argument disappears by about 90%. No because even if it was called a “Hidden Text” box there can be a legitimate point that the box is getting overused. > [@](#): > > I’m trying to frame this as an issue of effective communication with the purpose of avoiding ambiguity and communication errors. There is a reason for the very existence of spoiler boxes – because there are a lot of people, like me, who really care about spoilers. Removing certainty to one extent or another dampens the ability of spoiler boxes to do what they’re meant to do. You are making the assumption that the original intended purpose of a “Spoiler” box was for “spoiler” situations as opposed to that being the name that got attached to it despite it’s many uses. > [@](#): > > And some uses of spoiler boxes are just stupid, like for boxing curse words. I’m ok with using them for that purpose. As a matter of fact, I’m ok with anyone using them for just about anything - life’s too short to try to control every single interaction with detailed rules. Do you really think you can legislate your happiness by having rules that force interaction to follow a path that works for you personally? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/71 "2011-07-26T03:47:38Z")
Last I checked, it was already a rule in Cafe Society that spoiler boxes should have some sort of outside indication of what was spoiled therein. And I agree that it’s a good rule. But I don’t see any problem with using a spoiler box for any text one doesn’t want folks to read accidentally, whether it’s a genuine “spoiler” or not, so long as it’s clear what it is, and folks will know if they’re one of the ones who wants to open it. As for threads labeled “open spoilers”, yeah, they’re not really necessary there (or at least, not as necessary), but I think that occasionally folks just get into the habit, and forget what thread they’re in. Then, of course, once one person does it, it leads others to forget where they are, too. If you see that happening, just remind the folks involved that it’s an open spoilers thread. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/72 "2011-07-26T04:22:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > As for threads labeled “open spoilers”, yeah, they’re not really necessary there (or at least, not as necessary), but I think that occasionally folks just get into the habit, and forget what thread they’re in. Then, of course, once one person does it, it leads others to forget where they are, too. If you see that happening, just remind the folks involved that it’s an open spoilers thread. In the regular Battlestar Galactica threads, open spoilers were used for things revealed on screen in the particular episode under discussion only. Anything that would be spoiler material for future episodes…ie, stuff gleaned from other web sources…was spoiler boxed. ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/73 "2011-07-26T04:49:40Z")
You guys going on about “invisible text” do know that the background of posts isn’t actually white, right? And your “invisible text”, whilst difficult to see and requiring highlighting to read, is visible if you’re looking hard enough? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/74 "2011-07-26T05:13:33Z")
> [@Sierra\_Indigo](#): > > You guys going on about “invisible text” do know that the background of posts isn’t actually white, right? And your “invisible text”, whilst difficult to see and requiring highlighting to read, is visible if you’re looking hard enough? Can you read this one below? I can’t see it in preview, it’s #F8F8F8 ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/75 "2011-07-26T05:19:14Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Can you read this one below? > I can’t see it in preview, it’s #F8F8F8 Yeah, that’s the correct one for a “truly” invisible post. I never use it so I didn’t know what the actual hex colour code was. But it’s sure as fuck not white. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/76 "2011-07-26T05:57:34Z")
> [@Sierra\_Indigo](#): > > Yeah, that’s the correct one for a “truly” invisible post. I never use it so I didn’t know what the actual hex colour code was. But it’s sure as fuck not white. I don’t use it either - just thought it would be mildly entertaining to try to find it ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/77 "2011-07-26T09:15:24Z")
[spoiler](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=569914) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/78 "2011-07-26T09:58:16Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > The two click rule applies…I think you can put a not safe for work link in a spoiler box and be ok under current rules. Yes, the mods have said so in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/79 "2011-07-26T15:44:08Z")
I’m really trying very hard to find a tactful way to say this. I think what I’ve come up with is, “This is a thread? Really? Someone started a thread because they’re angry that other people have made a different choice about how to use a board feature? _Really_?” People who put actual spoilers in boxes without any indication outside of what you’ll find are morons. People who use spoiler boxes for clearly non-spoiler material are simply making use of the tools they have available. People who get angry because someone apparently came into their home, clutched their hand in an iron grip, and crushed it down onto the mouse, forcing them to click a spoiler button for something that wasn’t a spoiler need to learn how to call the police, because I’m pretty sure that shit’s illegal and you can have the intruder arrested. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/80 "2011-07-26T15:53:42Z")
Well, no one’s angry, I don’t think. We’re just discussing. And you are not coming into my house to stop me from discussing. At least, I hope so. And if you are, help yourself to a glass of sangria. It’s in the fridge. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265.md?page=5)