From the Keyboard of Zachary Wagner

I remember in When Harry Met Sally, Billy Crystal is shocked to find out that Meg Ryan skips ahead and reads the ending of the book first. Her rationale is that if the world would come to an end she’d like to know rather than waiting.

I find myself often in this position when watching movies or tv shows. I need to know the ending or twist or important information.

I personally think spoiler culture is a bit out-of-control. Most of it can be traced back to Psycho. Prior to that movie it was actually not uncommon for people to arrive to a movie late or spoil an ending.

There is power in knowing and withholding information. But I also think it can be a crutch. It’s almost cliche at this point, the idea that Jaws is effective because the shark is not shown often. Monsters in the darkness are scary. But I think there is a point of diminishing return when the light is never shown.

I feel like I’m meandering a bit. I guess my point is I prefer to skip to the end. It feels like the world is ending more and more every day.