# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/81 "2011-07-26T16:00:27Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > 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. And what is your opinion of people who overreact to an idea they disagree with by ridiculously exaggerating the tone and makeup of that idea? ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/82 "2011-07-26T16:15:41Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > I don’t use it either - just thought it would be mildly entertaining to try to find it It’s not that hard to find; it’s right in the source code: ```auto .wysiwyg { background: #F8F8F8; color: #000000; font: 10pt Trebuchet MS, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 5px 10px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; } ``` ---
**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, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/83 "2011-07-26T18:06:22Z")
> [@srzss05](#): > > It’s not that hard to find; it’s right in the source code: > > ```auto > > .wysiwyg > { > background: #F8F8F8; > color: #000000; > font: 10pt Trebuchet MS, Arial, sans-serif; > margin: 5px 10px 10px 10px; > padding: 0px; > } > > ``` Yep, that’s where I got it. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/84 "2011-07-26T18:33:59Z")
This is what I think: poopington bear ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/85 "2011-07-26T18:35:11Z")
ATMB, where about a half of the posts are about how “terrible” the mods are at applying the rules as they exist, and another quarter are about how the rules should get even more complex. What is the final quarter about? Split between test posts, misplaced topics, general suggestions and questions about the board, and topics announcing so and so is banned or asking why so and so is banned email a mod Actual fractions may vary. ---
**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, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/86 "2011-07-26T20:30:52Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > And if you are, help yourself to a glass of sangria. It’s in the fridge. Oooooooh, can I have the sangria without the silencing? > [@Czarcasm](#): > > And what is your opinion of people who overreact to an idea they disagree with by ridiculously exaggerating the tone and makeup of that idea? Depends: how deeply stupid and emblematic of deep-seated problems endemic to the community is the idea? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/87 "2011-07-26T20:37:36Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Depends: how deeply stupid and emblematic of deep-seated problems endemic to the community is the idea? Wow. I am _so_ glad you aren’t prone to overreacting to simple suggestions. ---
**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, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/88 "2011-07-26T20:52:53Z")
For my part, I’m glad you don’t take hypothetical situations as some sort of personal affront. ---
**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, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/89 "2011-07-26T21:10:52Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Depends: how deeply stupid and emblematic of deep-seated problems endemic to the community is the idea? You mean like holding a fork in the wrong hand? ---
**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 27, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/90 "2011-07-27T14:14:38Z")
Oh, I’m sorry. I must have missed the ATMB thread where someone suggested that we institute a rule where we snoop on everyone’s table manners and enact sanctions if they don’t follow the ones we personally prefer. Which sounds like a pretty retarded rule, so please do link me–I love a laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/91 "2011-07-27T14:30:41Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Oh, I’m sorry. I must have missed the ATMB thread where someone suggested that we institute a rule where we snoop on everyone’s table manners and enact sanctions if they don’t follow the ones we personally prefer. Which sounds like a pretty retarded rule, so please do link me–I love a laugh. Heh, so you’re going to be at my house to silence me _and_ remark on my table manners? In that case, drink the whole pitcher, please. It’s not terribly alcoholic, but enough that after you get through most of it, you won’t care _what_ I do with my fork. 😃 ---
**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 27, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/92 "2011-07-27T15:40:57Z")
Oh no, I only really care about table manners in men I’m dating, and even then the judging happens silently–so unless you’ve grown a penis and changed your orientation, you’re perfectly safe. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/93 "2011-07-27T17:14:51Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Oh, I’m sorry. I must have missed the ATMB thread where someone suggested that we institute a rule where we snoop on everyone’s table manners and enact sanctions if they don’t follow the ones we personally prefer. Which sounds like a pretty retarded rule, so please do link me–I love a laugh. Here’s the funny thing - the spoiler box opinions in this thread actually have a functional basis, an attempt to more clearly define communications (even though I disagree with the need). But the fork in the left vs right hand is completely arbitrary. Yet the spoiler box opinion is retarded and the fork opinion is the way things should be. Aren’t you able to see that this is inconsistent? It’s ok, none of us are really consistent, the trick is being able to identify it in oneself and then moderate our responses because we realize it’s just an arbitrary opinion. ---
**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 27, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/94 "2011-07-27T18:55:58Z")
My logic isn’t inconsistent–your comparison is. I am not saying that people \*must \*act a certain way, simply that I’m going to judge them if they don’t. Conversely, the OP of this thread is suggesting a rule change that would \*force \*people to follow their personal quirks. Had this been a Pitting instead of an ATMB thread, I wouldn’t have had a problem with it. (Well, I would, but for different reasons.) If the OP would like to mock me as a boor for using spoiler boxes for joke punchlines, I’m not going to stand in his way. When you find me attempting to make a \*law \*that people must lay down their knife and swap their fork to their dominant hand to eat a piece of food after cutting it off, \*then \*you may mock me as a hypocrite. ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/95 "2011-07-27T19:50:34Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > When you find me attempting to make a \*law \*that people must lay down their knife and swap their fork to their dominant hand to eat a piece of food after cutting it off, \*then \*you may mock me as a hypocrite. Technically I could mock you anytime I feel like it. But I wasn’t mocking you, and I don’t think you are a hypocrite, I just thought you were lacking a little insight into your own thoughts and behavior. ---
**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 27, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/96 "2011-07-27T20:01:00Z")
I have plenty of insight. You, however, appear to lack such a quality. Responding to a thread to report one’s personally preferred set of table manners, as a direct response to the OP’s request, is so monumentally far removed from starting a thread in ATMB to test the waters for a change to the rules that would require other people to conform to one’s personal preference for how to use a specific tag that I can’t see how you could possibly have thought it would be appropriate to drag it in here, unless you have some odd need to make every thread about me. Since you’re also claiming that you’re neither mocking me nor implying that I’m a hypocrite, I’m even more confused. Are you now just going to follow me around the board and mention random things I’ve said in other threads? ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/97 "2011-07-27T20:22:45Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Since you’re also claiming that you’re neither mocking me nor implying that I’m a hypocrite, I’m even more confused. Are you now just going to follow me around the board and mention random things I’ve said in other threads? I am actually laughing here as I read your post - the only possible options are “mock” or “follow”? - there are no other possibilities? It’s kind of entertaining to follow the patterns of people’s posts and try to figure out what is going on inside their head generally - if you look at your responses in this thread there is a pattern in which you defend some position and then you make some statement that tends to be either an extreme or unrelated statement back to the other poster. I find it fascinating. ---
**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 28, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/98 "2011-07-28T14:38:48Z")
Last I’m going to say on this subject, regardless of what you reply with, because this thread isn’t about me: Yes, mocking or following are your only two options. Either: 1.) You think you’re making some kind of point about my attitudes in general, and how they’re contradictory in this case, which I’ve already demonstrated is completely inaccurate. OR 2.) You are repeating things I’ve posted elsewhere simply for the joy of repeating them in irrelevant discussions. Now, can we \*please \*get back to this riveting discussion of whether or not people are stupid for making use of board features in ways we personally don’t like? I feel a good rant coming about art using smileys. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2011, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/99 "2011-08-01T12:58:47Z")
The difference actually is that differing table manners are ultimately arbitrary and meaningless. On the other hand, a discussion on the desirable scope of use of a spoiler box is a discussion about the communicative impact of a communicative device in order to achieve, what I propose, is a more unambiguous communicative situation within the context of a forum that is made up entirely of attempts to communicate. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265/100 "2011-08-01T22:39:48Z")
> [@RaftPeople](#): > > Here’s the funny thing - the spoiler box opinions in this thread actually have a functional basis, an attempt to more clearly define communications (even though I disagree with the need). But the fork in the left vs right hand is completely arbitrary. I assure you, the choice to hold a fork in my left hand is not arbitrary. It’s to prevent spilling rice or corn or whatever, all over the place like I might if I tried to make my stupid right hand use a fork. It’s an entirely functional choice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-spoiler-boxes-be-restricted-to-spoilers/590265.md?page=6)