Regarding Twitter and Posting Potential Spoilers During LOST When it Airs

Greetings Friends,

I'd like to address an issue that I know a lot of folks struggle with around the country and around the world: LOST Spoilers on Twitter feeds.

Last night during the recent episode, "Happily Ever After", I received a message on Twitter from a person who cursed me, accused me of posting a spoiler, and then told me that they were no longer going to follow my account. I was totally taken aback by this person's lack of decorum. If they knew anything about me, they would know that I despise spoilers, I never seek them out, and I am always very careful never to post them. I don't even want to know episode titles before they air, and am often disappointed when I come across one as I'm browsing the Twitter-verse.

My response was basically that this person should have known better than to be checking Twitter during LOST as it is airing on the East Coast. Countless people tweet during the show, post their reactions, and generally discuss what happens as it happens. Many of them are my friends and the info that they let slip out in posts often surprises me. From my perspective, being spoiled during airtime is pretty much a given if you follow LOST fans on Twitter.

I will admit that last night I was very, VERY excited, and for the first time in ages (if ever) I did decide to post a couple of messages as I reacted and discussed with other viewers. I suppose if one wasn't watching the show and happened to be getting my posts, they could have been viewed as somewhat spoiler-ish.

For anyone who felt this was the case, I do sincerely apologize. I am normally proud to present my blog and Twitter stream as a "safe-haven" for fans who don't want to know anything about the show beforehand. If you look back at the actual posts, you will see that I was still being somewhat cryptic and really only playing with the concepts and events being presented. However, often things are taken at face-value, and as careful as I am, accidents do happen.

At the same time, I do think it's unfair for other fans across the country and world to expect those who might be watching an episode as it airs to maintain some kind of "radio-silence" until everyone is able to catch up. Today I received a second message from a person who asked me to wait 20 hours before I talk about LOST so that they can be caught up. As much as I don't want to ruin the show for this person, I am not only a blogger but a fan who wants to be able to discuss it with other fans that I am linked up with. I mean, I can only be expected to do so much, as it is only natural that at some point I am going to make mention of certain themes and events with the rest of the community.

For example, I have been a member of countless forums where personal responsibility is what is to be expected of anyone who has to wait for the new installment to air. Surf the web, browse the blogs, and read the feeds, but do so at your own risk. I certainly see the West Coast fans having no problem tweeting and discussing as they watch, so why should it be any different for the folks in earlier timezones?

Again, this is just my own humble take on things, and I will indeed continue to do my best to be sensitive to those of you who follow my stream. It is not my intention nor desire to spoil the experience for any of you in any way.

I really cannot properly describe how much I appreciate each reader who visits this blog and each new fan who joins my little tweet-fest. Just like with LOST, doing what I do isn't about the act itself, or about getting some kind of recognition. Instead, it's truly is all about the people. I am honored and truly thank you all for your support, feedback, and friendship.

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AMENDMENT @9:00 PM EST: After posting this article, I had a brief yet wonderful conversation on the topic with fellow LOSTie friend @Nerderific. The following is an excerpt...

Nerderific: I disagree. Why should the East coast get to tweet live & all other time zones be forced offline? Kinda selfish.

4TF: It goes the other way though. Why should all other timezones have to be silent but the West coast gets to tweet live?

Nerderific: I will say this: cursing you out/asking you to wait 20hrs = BS. I think everyone should wait until 10:05PST to be polite.

4TF: I can agree with that.  Like I said in the post, I normally don't tweet at all during the show because I'm too busy watching! ;-)

Nerderific: That's how I am! ;) Seriously though, are people THAT addicted to Twitter that they can't wait? I'm only that addicted to Lost.

4TF: BTW I'm not really suggesting people have to literally be "forced offline". I for one just stay away from certain streams, like #LOST.

Nerderific: Oh I definitely don't go there! My friends are cool enough for the most part to not Tweet. If others do, I just stop following.

4TF: Maybe the problem is using Twitter as one big chat-room when we should instead be gathering in an actual chat to discuss live.

Nerderific: AMEN my sister!! You hit the nail on the head! ;) It's just not polite. Message boards you can CHOOSE to avoid because of spoilers.

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A great point was made here by Nerderific in regards to differentiating between Twitter and forums. The former often involves messages popping up at you automatically, and the latter involves a person making the choice whether or not to view the posts.

So basically, if everyone would stop discussing the show on Twitter (from east coast airtime through to the end on the west coast) and join a LOST chat instead, the entire problem could be avoided.

(Actually, everyone should just concentrate on watching the show when it's on - especially since we only have a handful left!)

a.N
www.FourToedFoot.com

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