Standing on a Soapbox

Malicious Spoilerism - "Who Needs to Read the Last Page First?"
Anastasia Black

With not only the eagerly-awaited theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Pottermania's recent past, but also the publication of the most recent Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (as well as a future seventh book), now seems an appropriate time to discuss malicious spoilerism.

Perhaps you don't recognize it by that name, but it's almost certain you're familiar with the concept. An accidental slip of the tongue or fingers is one thing - nearly anyone who uses LiveJournal or similar blogger services can relate to botching codes (or leaving them out entirely), and having to rush to correct a spoiler-filled entry before a veritable inferno erupts in their comments. Or, in a worst-case scenario, actually needing that fire extinguisher. However, what we're talking about here is something else entirely - that particular, strange brand of sadist who takes pleasure in spreading secrets to those who have yet to discover them for themselves.

While admittedly something of a latecomer to the HP fandom, I've seen my share of malicious spoilerism in it, and frankly, I was appalled. I was fortunate enough to obtain one of the first copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sold in my area, and I made a point of avoiding my fellow Potterheads until I finished it out of fear that someone would, however unthinkingly, save me the trouble of reading from beginning to end with baited breath. No doubt, no matter who we love or hate, whose antics we delight in, who we wanted to see receive a moment of happiness or a just desert, we were all turning pages with shaking hands in anticipation of the thing that made J.K. Rowling herself cry. We'd been waiting, knowing that something was going to occur that would change the wizarding world forever. We needed to see with our own eyes, read with our own voices, those words - to read for ourselves our rumours, suspicions, and worst fears confirmed. Though even now, there are some of us who wish desperately to believe that seeing is not, in fact, believing, none of us can deny that page 806 (Scholastic, 2003) affected us all; one way or another - and how we came to see affected us, too.

What did you do after you closed that book? Were letters swimming in your head, black on white, burned into the canvas of your mind? Did you run to your blog or website, barely able to type with words and emotion alike spilling over? Did you reach for the phone, eager to hear a familiar voice on the other end - "I'm finished, too!" - so you could, in shock, sorrow, or even smirking joy, share the experience? Did you go out, invite someone over, need that face-to-face contact to really start processing it?

We're all thoughtful eagles here, and we share our great, beloved hall with equally-thoughtful lions, badgers, and snakes. I'm sure that we all took care not to ruin that experience for anyone else, regardless of how intensely we may have felt a need to babble, gibber, or sob. But what about others? What did they do?

Would you believe that they posted to mailing lists, with the biggest event of the book summed up in one line - the subject line? That they came into chat rooms, posted in gleeful capslock, "That character is dead! " and left to spread the news elsewhere? That they took pride in 'forgetting' their journal cuts, in trolling forums; in ensuring, however they could, that others were 'saved' the trouble of reading for themselves?

I am ashamed to say that's exactly what happened. I witnessed a number of incidents myself, and was treated to many a venomous rant by a victimized friend. Oh, I knew about fandom splits and spats, but this was the first time I'd actually been exposed to such a truly callous act.

And so, we ask ourselves: "What kind of person would do this?"

It's a good question. When it comes down to it, we can hypothesize all we want, but unless we are one of those people - or can get one to own up and fill us in - that's all it will be. Still, perhaps we ought to try. It may not help us understand, but it's good to know the enemy as well as you can.

Obviously, there are the type already mentioned; those who do so out of pure sadism. They may not be genuinely harming anyone, but they're certainly getting their kicks out of ruining - spoiling - other people's fun. Who or what else?

Spite, maybe? An ostracized fan; one who's too obsessive, too rude, or who just doesn't 'get it'? One who's now bitter, and wants others to feel as they do? Misery, they say, loves company - but company doesn't always appreciated being imposed upon.

How about someone who perceives him or herself as being superior to others - who wants to gloat? Most, if not all, of us enjoy coming up with theories, sharing our ideas, and spreading the latest rumours. Normally, there's no harm in it - but it's never right to lord a lucky guess over our fellow fans. If it comes to pass that, in a year or two, it's your conspiracy we see coming to light on the big screen or the pages of a thick book, be gracious about it! There's nothing wrong with grinning and saying, "Hey, look, I was right! Neat!" or even, "Go me!" - but don't point and laugh at those who didn't manage a moment of the Sight this time around, and don't take away their chance to find out on their own. Some people have long memories, and you never know what will come back to haunt you in the end.

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Standing on a Soapbox




Notes The Alte Sententiam is Ravenclaw's running newspaper. Alte Sententiam means 'Higher Thoughts' and its current co-editors-in-chief are Chloe Fairchilde and Cassandra Lobiesk. Articles Malicious Spoilerism Dark Wizards Can't Swim Luna's Expeditions Scientifics To Run or Not to Run Alchemy and Harry Potter Past that Created the Present Not a Sue Reviews Wicked: Wickedly Popular! Puzzles Broomsticks Incantations Info FAQ Staff The Roost HOL	Standing on a Soapbox Malicious Spoilerism - "Who Needs to Read the Last Page First?" Anastasia Black With not only the eagerly-awaited theatrical release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Pottermania's recent past, but also the publication of the most recent Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (as well as a future seventh book), now seems an appropriate time to discuss malicious spoilerism. Perhaps you don't recognize it by that name, but it's almost certain you're familiar with the concept. An accidental slip of the tongue or fingers is one thing - nearly anyone who uses LiveJournal or similar blogger services can relate to botching codes (or leaving them out entirely), and having to rush to correct a spoiler-filled entry before a veritable inferno erupts in their comments. Or, in a worst-case scenario, actually needing that fire extinguisher. However, what we're talking about here is something else entirely - that particular, strange brand of sadist who takes pleasure in spreading secrets to those who have yet to discover them for themselves. While admittedly something of a latecomer to the HP fandom, I've seen my share of malicious spoilerism in it, and frankly, I was appalled. I was fortunate enough to obtain one of the first copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sold in my area, and I made a point of avoiding my fellow Potterheads until I finished it out of fear that someone would, however unthinkingly, save me the trouble of reading from beginning to end with baited breath. No doubt, no matter who we love or hate, whose antics we delight in, who we wanted to see receive a moment of happiness or a just desert, we were all turning pages with shaking hands in anticipation of the thing that made J.K. Rowling herself cry. We'd been waiting, knowing that something was going to occur that would change the wizarding world forever. We needed to see with our own eyes, read with our own voices, those words - to read for ourselves our rumours, suspicions, and worst fears confirmed. Though even now, there are some of us who wish desperately to believe that seeing is not, in fact, believing, none of us can deny that page 806 (Scholastic, 2003) affected us all; one way or another - and how we came to see affected us, too. What did you do after you closed that book? Were letters swimming in your head, black on white, burned into the canvas of your mind? Did you run to your blog or website, barely able to type with words and emotion alike spilling over? Did you reach for the phone, eager to hear a familiar voice on the other end - "I'm finished, too!" - so you could, in shock, sorrow, or even smirking joy, share the experience? Did you go out, invite someone over, need that face-to-face contact to really start processing it? We're all thoughtful eagles here, and we share our great, beloved hall with equally-thoughtful lions, badgers, and snakes. I'm sure that we all took care not to ruin that experience for anyone else, regardless of how intensely we may have felt a need to babble, gibber, or sob. But what about others? What did they do? Would you believe that they posted to mailing lists, with the biggest event of the book summed up in one line - the subject line? That they came into chat rooms, posted in gleeful capslock, "That character is dead! " and left to spread the news elsewhere? That they took pride in 'forgetting' their journal cuts, in trolling forums; in ensuring, however they could, that others were 'saved' the trouble of reading for themselves? I am ashamed to say that's exactly what happened. I witnessed a number of incidents myself, and was treated to many a venomous rant by a victimized friend. Oh, I knew about fandom splits and spats, but this was the first time I'd actually been exposed to such a truly callous act. And so, we ask ourselves: "What kind of person would do this?" It's a good question. When it comes down to it, we can hypothesize all we want, but unless we are one of those people - or can get one to own up and fill us in - that's all it will be. Still, perhaps we ought to try. It may not help us understand, but it's good to know the enemy as well as you can. Obviously, there are the type already mentioned; those who do so out of pure sadism. They may not be genuinely harming anyone, but they're certainly getting their kicks out of ruining - spoiling - other people's fun. Who or what else? Spite, maybe? An ostracized fan; one who's too obsessive, too rude, or who just doesn't 'get it'? One who's now bitter, and wants others to feel as they do? Misery, they say, loves company - but company doesn't always appreciated being imposed upon. How about someone who perceives him or herself as being superior to others - who wants to gloat? Most, if not all, of us enjoy coming up with theories, sharing our ideas, and spreading the latest rumours. Normally, there's no harm in it - but it's never right to lord a lucky guess over our fellow fans. If it comes to pass that, in a year or two, it's your conspiracy we see coming to light on the big screen or the pages of a thick book, be gracious about it! There's nothing wrong with grinning and saying, "Hey, look, I was right! Neat!" or even, "Go me!" - but don't point and laugh at those who didn't manage a moment of the Sight this time around, and don't take away their chance to find out on their own. Some people have long memories, and you never know what will come back to haunt you in the end. [ Return to Top ]