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OT: A Request to AN With Regard to Olympic Results

Tiny by PaulThomas on

Don't spoil them.

Please.

The Olympics are exciting. They are thrilling. They are the source of a near-infinite amount of news crud of one sort and another. They are beginning tomorrow (yes, before the opening ceremonies... the soccer schedule has to be stretched out to fit it in). They are also, this time around, almost entirely going to be taking place in the dead of the night. While it will be possible to watch certain more... esoteric events (helloooo, women's field hockey-- hey, the USA actually qualified a team this year) live through webcasts, the fact is that a. most of us do not have the iron sleep discipline to stay up to the wee hours, and b. many of the most popular events will ONLY be broadcast on tape delay. Meaning, the fan's fate is in the non-fan's hands.

So-- I, and I'm sure others, would really appreciate it if results were not discussed prior to the prime time broadcast slot-- basically 9 PM or thereabouts. (We could probably make an exception for the performances of the A's Olympic prospects, which are actually germane to the site's topic.) I don't want to have to stay away from the site entirely for two and a half weeks, but I will if I have to... I'd just rather not be forced to make the choice.

Thank you for your consideration.

4 recs | Comment 124 comments

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Normally I don't give much credence to

such “don’t spoil the outcome” requests…in the TiVo era, it’s up to the would-be delayed viewer to avoid spoilers, not up to the rest of the world to avoid talking/posting about them with their friends.

But in this case I’m with you…all of America will be watching most events late, so paying respect to those who’d watch them at their regular broadcast times seems reasonable.

Warning, though: East Coast AN’ers, of whom there are many, will see a lot of events three hours before we will, though still delayed. You’re asking the Easterners to hold off comment until WE watch stuff here, which is more challenging.

They want to steal the land papers which is why they have tried to break in. But they had to give up after being bitten by Chhotu.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 5, 2008 8:07 PM PDT   0 recs

That is the bigger problem

But I, for one, don’t plan to discuss it much. I’ll def. watch some but most of it just goes in one eyeball and out the other.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 5, 2008 8:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

we can be bribed

"The Athletics at Fremont" is quite bad

by ArakSOT on Aug 6, 2008 9:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You can request, but I doubt people will comply

Best you can do is hope for an Olympic Open Megathread and have all the Olympic chatter in there.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Aug 5, 2008 8:08 PM PDT   0 recs

I would be amenable to this

As long as there’s some kind of cordon sanitaire...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 5, 2008 8:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You're proposing to keep Olympic comments out of the main threads

by mocking Harry Potter?

That’s a roundabout solution.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 5, 2008 9:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hahaha.

The first thing I thought of when I read Cauldron Satire was the Cauldron Bottom report Percy Weasley was writing for Mr. Crouch in book 4. He would bore everyone to death with his endless chatter about cauldron bottom thickness.

Yeah, I’m a loser. ;]

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 5, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

You’re starting to pull even.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Aug 5, 2008 10:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thank goodness.

I was beginning to think you forgot about me trying to redeem myself.

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 6, 2008 9:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd totally be up for an Olympics Open Thread

In fact, I’ll probably open a few West Coast Olympic Open Threads myself (so we won’t have to sit and read through three hours of comments that are going to ruin everything…..)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Aug 5, 2008 9:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think this is a perfect solution.

It’s natural to want to discuss this stuff on AN. Just keep it contained, and enter at your own risk.

by pam5981 on Aug 5, 2008 9:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Russia won

Oh, SORRY.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2008 8:42 PM PDT   0 recs

Open thread?

I like open threads. There’s a lot of…. possibility :]

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 5, 2008 8:52 PM PDT   0 recs

And she's ready for college

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 5, 2008 8:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm ready for college.

I have my pepper spray.

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 5, 2008 9:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And your dirty mind

And willingness to seek out the second and third entendre

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 5, 2008 9:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Me? Have a dirty mind?

Never! I’ve got quite a clean one, if you ask me. Mhm. [barryzitotravisbuckbarryzitotravisbuckRYANSWEEEEEENEYYY]

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 5, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You'd better be opening your threads while you say that

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 5, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No but there is a height limit

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Aug 5, 2008 10:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Freshmen

are just my favorite.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Aug 6, 2008 10:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm a freshman!!

That means you looooove me.

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 6, 2008 9:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who doesn't?

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 6, 2008 9:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Many people don't like freshman.

But you know, it’s impossible not to like me. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I worry about making friends next year.

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 6, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Sal can take it ...

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 6, 2008 11:26 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

clean mind? yes!

You change it so often…of course it’s clean!

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Aug 6, 2008 12:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Street blows the save.

Crosby chases a slider low and away.
Hannahan is late on a fastball.
Emil Brown swings.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2008 8:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's not spoiling it.

That’s reciting the daily routine of our lineup.

Stuck on Buck :)

by GreenNGoldGirl on Aug 5, 2008 9:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually found a scrap of crumpled up paper

near the Coliseum that had scribbled on it:

- stretch
- order bats
- pack road uniform
- swing at slider low and away
- pick up dinner

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You mean he has to remind himself?

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Aug 5, 2008 9:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Apparently, even, to pick up dinner!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2008 9:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

after the Zito breakfast thing, one can't be too careful

This is the highest-known density of gorillas that's ever been found. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 6, 2008 9:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Crosby came out of the Red Sox game with dizziness

that related, presumably, to his eating pattern throughout that day.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 6, 2008 12:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A warning to news junkies

NPR sent out an advisory to member stations on this very subject today. They will announce the results of Olympic competition in hourly newscasts when they think it’s newsworthy, in real time and without spoiler warnings. (And they apologized in advance to all of us who might have to answer the phone when incensed listeners call in.)

by Englishmajor on Aug 5, 2008 9:41 PM PDT   0 recs

hooray US swimming

i have some friends on the team. we are going to rock.

by oakinboston on Aug 5, 2008 10:21 PM PDT   0 recs

I love watching the swimming ... being a former swimmer and all ...

but the competitions are getting dull—the U.S. dominates everything, Australia is relevant, everyone else is just make sure mosquitoes can’t infest any standing water …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 6, 2008 11:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

swimmer as well.

over the 4th i hung out with a bunch of the Stanford crew that went to Trials. interesting to hear their perspective on the LZR suit.

im curious how much the Chinese have improved. As a country they have been targeting swimming hard because it is such a medal rich sport. Still, I know a coach who is over there, and he says their training philosophy is brutal. He nearly got fired because he was opposed to how hard they work their kids.

by oakinboston on Aug 6, 2008 3:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Their training philosophy in all the sports is brutal

Their have been complaints about what they were doing to their gymnastics kids.

The IOC, as is usual, just swept that under the carpet as much as they could.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Aug 6, 2008 3:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugg. There have been complaints

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Aug 6, 2008 3:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, the IOC has been pretty unimpressive with this whole China thing ...

‘You can have the Olympics if you do this, this and this …’
‘You haven’t done any of them … but you have a plan? Great!’
‘You still haven’t done any of them? But the Olympics starts on Friday … oh well!’

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 6, 2008 3:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You can't force it ...

I can’t imagine they’ll make much noise, especially given the critical shortcoming that ended my swimming days—the importance of height … there aren’t many 5’10 freestyle sprinters out there … and there aren’t very many 5’10 people in China …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 6, 2008 4:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure there are

Not percentage wise, but… I mean, even a left-shifted bell curve produces a Yao Ming or two if you include enough people in it…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 6, 2008 5:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

but when you need to combine a lifetime of perfecting an activity with the physical gifts to compete at the highest level ...

I doubt there are than many of them in China …

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Aug 6, 2008 7:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or you could just roid up, like all their female athletes were doing (probably still are) a few years back

I have to say—normally I’m opposed to the concept of medal counting, but I really hope China does not finish #1 in the overall total.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 6, 2008 8:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kim Vandenberg

A local girl from Moraga (Campolindo HS), made the 4×800 freestyle relay.

by methodrampage on Aug 6, 2008 2:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed 100%

I plan to just stay off most sites anyways, but would be nice to come here and not be spoiled

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Aug 5, 2008 11:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Well, you don't have to worry about me...

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Aug 5, 2008 11:37 PM PDT   0 recs

those of us who don't care for the Olympics should post results early out of spite

This is the highest-known density of gorillas that's ever been found. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 6, 2008 9:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

random results would probably be more frustrating/infuriating/confusing

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 6, 2008 10:31 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Pre-spoiler:

8:00: [mikeA, bored, happens upon Olympics channel]

8:01: [Costas, with signature mix of pomposity and treacliness, recounts story of how some archer’s dog died, yet said archer perservered.]

8:20: [Still no actual footage of sports]

8:30: [footage of sports begins]

8:31: [beginning of a restful night’s sleep for mikeA

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Aug 6, 2008 10:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

8:05-8:20=Long segment on the theme “China is a land of contradictions.”

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Aug 6, 2008 10:54 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Phelps goes down!

Drowns at the bottom of the pool.

by methodrampage on Aug 6, 2008 3:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

PT, I agree with you 95% of the time

But “Exciting” and “Thrilling” are not words I’d use to describe the Olympics. That said, I will not spoil.

I advise everybody who cares to not go to regular news sites, including Yahoo if you have an e-mail account with them. Figure out a way to bypass the main page or something. They have spoiled these types of things in the past.

Just a suggestion, why not have an Olympic spoiler thread or something of the sort. Some kind of discussion before it’s shown on TV for those who can’t wait. That way it’s all limited to one thread and everybody who wants to be surprised can just stay out of it.

by thejd44 on Aug 5, 2008 11:53 PM PDT   0 recs

I can remember loving the Olympics when I was a young woman.

I don’t get the same charge out of it now…but I will gladly refrain from discussing any results here. I like knowing that some people feel passionately about that event. I envy your excitement! It’s fun to feel like that.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 6, 2008 1:25 AM PDT   0 recs

I remember being charged up about the Olympics

but now I simply cannot get past the advertising and the condensation.

Perhaps I have poor recall, but it seemed like a ton more events got TV time in the past.
Now, it’s just the finals and recaps, snippets of certain events. Heck maybe just medal ceremonies.

I just don’t find it compelling any more. You get a ton-and-a-half of gymnastics (which I never did) and about ten…twenty seconds of crew (racing…rowing) which I did in college. So I’m biased, sure, but I want to see what I want to see… not simply finals in track where the event is US-dominated, and all such stuff.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Aug 6, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah, but now they have cable channels and webcasts of less popular events

Not to jump the gun because I haven’t microanalyzed the schedule, but I suspect you can find all the rowing you want on the internet.

The old-school, human-interest-piece concept is on its last legs, IMO.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 6, 2008 2:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It looks like all of the baseball games are on the internet,

and some of the USA games might be on usa network or msnbc maybe Universal HD.
The US schedule is:
8/13: 3am (pacific time) vs. South Korea
8/13: 830pm vs. Netherlands
8/14: 830pm vs. Cuba
8/15: 730pm vs. Canada
8/18: 4am vs. China
8/19: 4am vs. Taiwan
8/20: 4am vs. Japan

by sr67 on Aug 6, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Really?

Seems to me that the “old school” obsess on the “story” angle, on “drama” ,is getting ever more prevalent.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Aug 6, 2008 3:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree because they seem to want "eye candy"

people doing the analysis, versus “former boxer” interviewing boxers, etc.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Aug 7, 2008 9:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

just move the server to China

the authorities will filter all relevant content for you.

Seriously though, what would people comment on in regard to the Olympics? OMG, did you see that women’s water polo game? Better unplug from the tv, radio, and internet if you don’t want breaking biathlon results!

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Aug 6, 2008 2:15 AM PDT   0 recs

Biathlon is

1. a winter sport,

2. actually really quite entertaining, if you come to it with an open mind instead of “heh heh, this sport is really stupid, derf”

I can see how the second one might be a challenge for you.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 6, 2008 12:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no rush to judgments, now

deprecation, tsk tsk..

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Aug 6, 2008 3:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You snark me, I snark back

Not a complex equation.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 6, 2008 6:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

dude, did you just insult jubjub?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 7, 2008 10:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm taking the fifth on that question

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 7, 2008 11:31 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Silly PT

The Fifth doesn’t apply when there is no potential criminal liability.

Answer the question!

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 7, 2008 12:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In the context of AN, there is...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Aug 7, 2008 12:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that's okay

I consider my ignorance of the Olympics a badge of honor. I’ll extract my revenge by renting my flat to PT for the 2012 Olympics at an exhorbanent rate.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Aug 8, 2008 1:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Spoiler: The Olympics were great until I saw that

they were actually at Hogwarts

I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball

by JediLeroy on