I understand not wanting to spoil plot points, but most of the things I see warned don't seem like plot points except character death, which I'm not sure always gets warned for anyway.
Exactly. This whole debate left me a bit "bzuh?" because it all boils down to common sense to me. Warnings, or indications for kinks, subgenres, etc. (hey, and the rating, too) contextualize a story before spoiling it. Even "character death" can be rather generic - unless that's the only character you have in the fic I guess ;) - and therefore not really a spoiler. Actually, sometimes I found myself hesitating when listing the characters of a fic because one of them had to make a surprise appearance or something :D I like plot twists (otherwise I wouldn't watch Lost, lol) and I *hate* being spoiled. Actually, I HATE IT WITH THE PASSION OF A THOUSAND BURNING SUNS. But honestly? I've never been spoiled by a warning. And anyway, there's always the whiteout option, "highlight if you want to read", etc. It's not like it takes hours to put the proper ratings or warnings on a fic anyway.
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Date: 2009-06-24 10:41 am (UTC)Exactly. This whole debate left me a bit "bzuh?" because it all boils down to common sense to me. Warnings, or indications for kinks, subgenres, etc. (hey, and the rating, too) contextualize a story before spoiling it. Even "character death" can be rather generic - unless that's the only character you have in the fic I guess ;) - and therefore not really a spoiler. Actually, sometimes I found myself hesitating when listing the characters of a fic because one of them had to make a surprise appearance or something :D I like plot twists (otherwise I wouldn't watch Lost, lol) and I *hate* being spoiled. Actually, I HATE IT WITH THE PASSION OF A THOUSAND BURNING SUNS. But honestly? I've never been spoiled by a warning. And anyway, there's always the whiteout option, "highlight if you want to read", etc. It's not like it takes hours to put the proper ratings or warnings on a fic anyway.