Sure, spoilers aren’t anything truly new. As long as there have been plot twists in stories, people have had the power to ruin them for everyone else. But the way we talk—or don’t talk—about entertainment has became more complicated than ever, thanks in part to the time-shifting capabilities of DVRs and streaming services and instant-blabbing functions of Twitter.
Although mentioning an important plot point too soon after a TV show airs or a movie hits theaters often provokes furious responses from fans (Game of Thrones deaths have been particularly thorny), the statute of limitations for spoilers isn’t always clear. When does it expire—or does it ever expire at all? Also, shows like Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, which returns on Friday, are released an entire season at a time. What are the rules for new formats like that? It’s hard to know.
So you tell us. We’re running a poll to determine just how people are handling spoilers these days. How long do you think people should wait to discuss major events in television shows, movies, novels and comic books (at least without spoiler warnings)? And what is a spoiler, anyway? Submit your responses below.
