...I basically avoid reviews of movies, tv shows & books until after I experience them for myself....My intent is not to limit or censor any discussions, I just asked for a way to avoid reading information I'm not ready to read yet, and still read the rest of what a person has to say....
Dear Jane, I understand what you are saying, but try to understand this from another point of view.
In many ways, what DR Music Guy has used as an analogy is quite accurate - this board is much like a livingroom, where we have gathered and several conversations are going on at once. So let's suppose that we're all together in a real living room, face to face, holding a conversation. (Or, perhaps, we're all gathered together at a restaurant table, which given this group is quite likely.) Let's suppose that several of us have seen a program/movie/play/read a book that you haven't seen/read, and are discussing the program/movie/play/book. How do you handle that situation? Do you ask everyone not to discuss what they want to? Or could you instead shrug, admit that life is swirling around you and sometimes you just have to let it happen? Heck, maybe you won't have heard of the program/movie/play/book, and the discussion will pique your interest.
Having to post "spoiler alert" with every phrase written about something impedes the give and take of the conversation, particularly when part of that give and take can consist of a single sentence, a snappy reply. And it is danged intimidating. It's like being in that room, at that table, and suddenly having to halt a conversation because "that person over there" might not like what is being said. And while "that person over there" is probably a very nice, sweet sort of gal/guy, suddenly everyone else is having to be afraid of that person's feelings. And that fear can create resentment.
I don't think anyone here wants that kind of resentment floating in the air.
