On 5/23/07, Anthony wikimail@inbox.org wrote:
I think I've come up with an interim solution to the whole mess regarding [[template:spoiler]]. My theory is that discussion of the tag is never going to reach a consensus as long as the uses of the tag are as diverse as they are. So here's my proposal:
I don't know what the "whole mess" is precisely, but if there is violent disagreement about the worst excesses of the tag's use, why not start with an extremely restricted spoiler tag that everyone can agree on. Like, a {{really-bad-spoiler}} whose documentation says "This is only for use for spoilers so bad that a stranger would gnaw off your arm if you said it in public. Ruining the surprise end of an unpublished novel, or the details of unaired TV episodes, for example."
If there is consensus there, then perhaps more spoiler tags could be created for less drastic scenarios. Then at least you would never theoretically end up with {{really-bad-spoiler}} being used in WWII or whatever.
Steve