*CONTAINS NO SPOILERS*

A long time ago, when the internet was far away, there existed a world where speculation as to the plot of an upcoming movie was confined to friends, family, the workplace or the odd movie magazine. This was usually lighthearted, never based on any “insider knowledge” and could easily be avoided.

Now, with the dawn of the internet, it’s inevitable social networking platforms and youTube, there is no escaping the movie exclusives, the leaked scripts, the movie obsessives that endlessly discuss the possible plot directions, twists and turns.

Never has this been as intense as with the upcoming release of what will probably be the highest grossing movie of all time Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

Even worse, now that there is increasing competition for “click bait” any potential headline spoilers are often given away in the title or opening text of a Facebook, Twitter or youTube post. No warning and no time for me to avert my eyes. It’s too late, the information has already entered my brain. It may turn out the rumours are false, it may just be wild speculation. Nevertheless I’ve still been introduced to an idea I may not have thought of, or a potential plot twist that should it turn out to be true, will ruin the impact when I finally get to see the movie.

I’ve done what I can to unfollow some of the worst offenders from my various internet streams, however the only true way to avoid this virtual nagging office gossip is to go completely offline and avoid the outside world, especially with the ever increasing sophistication of targeted content.

All I can say to anyone that reads this is please consider people like myself that enjoys seeing a movie with a clean slate, no spoilers, no plot exclusives, no character revelations endlessly discussed in advance. If you are going to do this, please write “CONTAINS SPOILERS” in the title and do not reveal anything in the headlines. Allow people like me to look forward to and enjoy the movie like people did when the original Star Wars appeared in 1977.

A wise old being once said “Difficult to see.. always in motion is the future”. Let’s keep it that way.

Here’s an excellent edit of all the trailers to date, which reveal very little and keep the mystery and anticipation in place.

May the force be with you, always.