*** Public Service Announcement *** for dealing with Internet spoilers
For the poster of the spoilerTry not to have posted it in the first place.
If you posted it, go back and edit your post to remove it.
Apologize profusely for your transgression.
For othersDo: Use the "report to moderator" function. This will get it removed the fastest to minimize damage. PMing the poster asking them to edit the post is also acceptable.
Don't: Lambast the poster or otherwise do anything to draw attention to the fact that a spoiler has been posted. Doing such makes it far more likely that innocent readers will notice/remember the spoiler, rather than forget it 5 seconds later not realizing it had any significance.
Don't: Quote the spoiler. Not only does this increase its exposure, but even if the original poster edits it out, now another copy exists, which will live on longer. Moderators have to edit your post(s), along with the original. (Seven in this thread!)
Do: Lambast the poster (within reasonableness and forum rules) only
after moderators and/or the poster have edited out the text.
This has a been a public service announcement.