# Why are the Game of Thrones rules still in effect? (No spoilers by me because I never saw it) **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 20, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207 "2015-10-20T02:15:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/41 "2015-10-20T16:55:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t follow the books, the show, nor the threads, but it’s my understanding that there were two approximately-equal factions, one of which wanted to just discuss the show, and one of wanted to discuss the books, too. This caused some friction early on, before the current two-thread solution was implemented, and that pretty much satisfied both sides. Well, except for the alluded-to poster who thought that that solution was Someone Wrong on the Internet, and who repeatedly violated the rules over it. Slight change in the history: there were two relatively equal factions, one show only/no book spoilers and one book/show/spoilers galore. Only one poster objected to the existence of the show only/no spoilers thread. Claiming that the show only posters were illiterates who should not be coddled, he dropped spoilers into the show only thread with some regularity. Furthermore, he insisted on debating the rules ad nauseum, in the threads themselves and in this forum, leading to numerous brain aneurysms on the part of the poor moderators. Everyone else, with the exception of a few newbies who didn’t know the rules, has been happy as the proverbial clams with the existing set-up. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/42 "2015-10-20T17:11:28Z")
1. The mystery poster that keeps getting alluded to is DrDeth. There’s nothing against the rules in mentioning the name. 2. DrDeth insisted on spoilering everyone in the “no spoilers from the books thread” because they were “illiterati”\* and that he would enlighten them all and force them to read the books (or something). Now DrDeth has his/her very own special “You can never discuss Game Of Thrones on the SDMB ever again” rule, so that problem’s solved. \*His term. I want to make that clear. I’m personally embarrassed for anyone who uses the term. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/43 "2015-10-20T17:37:26Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/44 "2015-10-20T18:15:54Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@Fenris](#): > > 1. The mystery poster that keeps getting alluded to is DrDeth. There’s nothing against the rules in mentioning the name. **DrDeth** , as you noted, has been given a topic restriction regarding GoT. This is not the only user under topic restrictions on the SDMB. Since this topic restriction is in place, please refrain from talking about **DrDeth** in this thread since this topic restriction prevents **DrDeth** from responding to posts here. We can’t have people taking pot shots at someone who is unable to even reply in return. This applies to everyone in this 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:** [October 20, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/45 "2015-10-20T18:22:03Z")
Just for clarification, does that mean we shouldn’t identify him by name (most of us didn’t) or does that mean we can’t discuss his behavior which led to the current state of affairs? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/46 "2015-10-20T18:52:36Z")
You can link to previous threads and posts, but let’s refrain from any discussion about behavior. I know that’s rather restrictive, but **DrDeth** can’t respond to those discussions, even to say that part of the discussion doesn’t accurately reflect what happened, in their opinion. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/47 "2015-10-20T19:10:38Z")
> [@Emiliana](#): > > Everyone else, with the exception of a few newbies who didn’t know the rules, has been happy as the proverbial clams with the existing set-up. In the book version the clams were most definitely NOT happy. Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/48 "2015-10-20T19:14:18Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > In the book version the clams were most definitely NOT happy. > > Just saying. Those clams shouldn’t have crossed Tywin Lannister, then. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/49 "2015-10-20T19:18:56Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > In the book version the clams were most definitely NOT happy. > > Just saying. What about the zombie clams? ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/50 "2015-10-20T19:37:55Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > In the book version the clams were most definitely NOT happy. > > Just saying. So I guess there’s no point reading the book now. Thanks for nothing! ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/51 "2015-10-20T20:13:31Z")
> [@Tithonus](#): > > Hmm…I’ve got Citizen Kane; The Crying Game; Empire Strikes Back; The Sixth Sense; The Usual Suspects; Chinatown; Shutter Island; ???; The Prestige; ???; Soylent Green; Seven; ???; and Planet of the Apes. > > What ones am I missing? Sorry to be a pain but it’s going to drive me _nuts!_ > > P.S. - R+L=J _and_ Hot Pie. Seriously, the clues are there… > [@TroutMan](#): > > He killed her. =\> Angel Heart? > He’s clones. =\> Moon > He’s dying. =\> Jacob’s Ladder I assume the “He’s a clone” one is Blade Runner. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/52 "2015-10-20T20:15:13Z")
Memento is my guess for he killed her. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/53 "2015-10-20T20:29:33Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > > [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > > > You know nothing, dropzone. > > And how does stating the obvious help the situation? :dubious: Whoosh - “You know nothing, Jon Snow” is one of the staple GoT quotables. ---
**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:** [October 20, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/54 "2015-10-20T20:41:29Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > You can link to previous threads and posts, but let’s refrain from any discussion about behavior. I know that’s rather restrictive, but **DrDeth** can’t respond to those discussions, even to say that part of the discussion doesn’t accurately reflect what happened, in their opinion. Yes, it does seem rather restrictive. It seems like everyone is being punished for one person’s bad behavior. It also seems weirdly like facts about an event can’t be discussed except by mysterious circumlocution. Why not redraw the ban lines to allow a certain someone to discuss the history of his own behavior in ATMB so long as he doesn’t discuss anything about Game of Thrones, leaving the rest of us unfettered. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/55 "2015-10-20T20:45:42Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > Memento is my guess for he killed her. Yah, I was thinking of _Memento_. I’ll definitely need to add “He’s also a clone” for _Moon_. “He’s a replicant” is open to debate; though I agree with it, it’s not a spoiler _per se_. Good catch on _Jacob’s Ladder_, **TroutMan**. Love that movie a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/56 "2015-10-20T20:46:53Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Is Game of Thrones actually a game? I did not know that. The only way to win is not to play. Which is actually iambic pentameter, now I say it out loud. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/57 "2015-10-20T20:47:00Z")
Also, my all-time favorite spoilers come from the same source: He’s God. He gets killed. He comes back. Briefly. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/58 "2015-10-20T21:04:19Z")
> [@Emiliana](#): > > You seem to be channeling DrDeth here. And he ended up on the wrong side of the wall. It’s really difficult to contrast our positions, given the restrictions, so I will simply suggest that you go back and read what I actually said and compare it with the arguments by the poster you mentioned. They do not align. I agree with the moderation of GoT threads. The point is, there never were any new rules. The current moderation of the GoT threads works entirely on the existing rules. If a poster requests no spoilers, then the mods will remove spoilers. Doing it intentionally is threadshitting, and can result in moderation. Despite popular belief, there was never a new rule just for this show. It’s even in the Sticky: > [@](#): > > **Q: So this show now has its’ own set of Rules? Will violating these rules be counted as the same as breaking general board rules? > A:** No. Violating these rules will be interpreted as a subset of the general rules this board operates on. Someone who repeatedly or flagrantly posts spoilers in a No Spoiler thread may be interpreted as Trolling, or at least Being A Jerk, depending on context and their posting history. So will attempting to game the rules. Someone who forgets to tag their thread appropriately will just have their title edited. Posters who wear “I \<3 Joffrey” t-shirts will be punched in the throat. And so on. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/59 "2015-10-20T21:10:58Z")
And if I misunderstood what **Idle Thoughts** said in the ATMB thread I was referencing, I would expect him to clarify, now that this thread is here in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207/60 "2015-10-20T21:29:56Z")
I understand that sometime this season, The Big Bang Theory will do an episode dealing with Game Of Thrones. Should we declare it to be the worst episode ever in the TBBT thread or the GOT threads? And if the GOT threads, the spoiler allowed thread or the No-Spoiler one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-game-of-thrones-rules-still-in-effect-no-spoilers-by-me-because-i-never-saw-it/735207.md?page=4)