I’m playing by all the rules: I left my camera at home. I’m wearing white. I won’t conduct myself in any way contrary to what Big Brother has posted. I will refrain from taking any cellphone pictures of the TOP SECRET ACTION, and I will keep my clothing on. Isn’t that enough?
This afternoon I’ll be at BC Place, attending the first public dress rehearsal of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. The ticket is courtesy of Shan, who received them as a perk for being in the Closing Ceremonies later this month. I didn’t think I’d get a chance to see ANY Olympic events, so even though this is a dress rehearsal and likely won’t be the complete ceremony, I am excited.
I fully admit that some of my excitement comes from being one of a select few who get a sneak peek at what will happen this coming Friday – I’m planning on blogging it, because I blog everything. This is a rare opportunity, and I want to take advantage of it in my usual way: sharing what I see with the internet at large. I may not be able to take pictures, but I can write. Oh boy, do I like to write.
Unfortunately, I’m the devil for doing so.
CTV posted this lovely article pointing figures at we social media types because we make keeping things a secret hard. They don’t see it as sharing, they see it as spoiling: the world wants to be surprised, and I am single-handedly RUINING IT FOR EVERYONE. I am a bad man. I am why we can’t have nice things.
Obviously, I’m on the other side of the coin here – I think the sharing of information is vital and fun, and I try to bring value to my seven readers – a story, an opinion, naked pictures of people I know. I share EVERYTHING, including things that should probably be kept to myself: if it happens to me, I will write about it. It’s what I do; what I have done for the past 9 years. I get to experience some of the opening ceremonies, so I will share my experiences for those who can’t be there with me. What’s so bad about that?
Everything, says traditional media.
Ed agrees with them, saying I shouldn’t ruin the surprise for those who plan on watching the ceremonies live or on TV. He thinks I should just go and enjoy the spectacle, and leave it off my blog for the greater good. I’m already full of angst because I can’t take pictures, and now I’m being told I can’t write about it either? Where’s the fun in that?
I can’t trust my own judgment on this, because I am a big fan of spoilers and I hate surprises. I like having some idea of what to expect. I actively search out movie spoilers, and will read plot lines of things I’m watching at that very moment. I like knowing what’s coming. So why *wouldn’t* I “spoil” the Opening Ceremonies? Maybe other people want to know too!
.. but there’s a chance that they don’t, so I’m leaving it up to you: should I blog what I see today, or just keep it to myself so I don’t ruin it for everyone?
I *hate* being censored, no matter how little.
Here is some art. I hope I’m not spoiling it for anyone who has not yet had the chance to walk down Granville Street.
to this day i wonder why i still think about you
sadly, this has nothing to do with the enigma song of the same name
double happiness chicken!
part of the giant mural at the vag
delicious juice dot com 
I agree with Ed. I don’t think it should be written about before the actual for real ceremony takes place for the same reason I can’t say anything about the closing ceremony – it’s a spectacle that wouldn’t be so spectacular if the surprise were ruined.
I also don’t think it should be written about because it could come back to me. If, for some reason, what you said was taken negatively because it spoiled the surprise I could very well have my spot in the closing ceremony taken away. They’ve already told some people they couldn’t be involved in the ceremonies because they have media connections. They take the secrecy extemely seriously and for good reason.
All that being said, I’m sure that once we get there tonight, we will be given a rundown of what’s happening and what their expectations are of those of us who are getting these sneak peeks. It could actually be totally fine since we won’t be seeing all the elements. Then again, it might not.
Yup, regarding secrecy at BC Place, ask my brother.
It’s possible (though probably not likely) that they might get you to sign non-disclosure agreements like Shan had to. Though, I do doubt that.
So, I agree with Shan and Ed. Plus, worst case scenario, Shan would be very, very sad if she had to give up her spot in the Closing Ceremonies. ;)
I’m not usually one for censorship, but I agree with Ed and Shan. *sorry* However, I’m not going to tell you what to do. Just that if you DO write about it, I won’t be reading it. As much as I tell everyone otherwise, I *love* surprises!
Compromise? Blog it the day OF the opening ceremonies, so that it’s not ‘spoiled’ for the few rich enough to get tickets, but so that the rest of the world can see what’s happening?
Also – don’t forget that the IOC and VANOC have serious rules about all this in place (guys building the sets etc over at BC Place had to sign hefty non-disclosures with big legal repercussions) so to hold of a few days so you don’t end up with a several-thousand-dollar-fine is probably a more realistic, and economical option. :)
Honestly, I don’t think you’re ruining anything. It’s like movie and TV spoilers. If you don’t want to know anything about it, don’t read the spoilers. I don’t have a TV and there’s no way I’ll be attending anything during the Olympics, so I’m relying on Internet types like you to keep me in the loop.
And seriously, is knowing what is going to happen before it happens really the worst thing in the world? All this Vanoc secrecy is too much in my mind and really just stifles excitement.
It’s not just Vanoc…this is status quo at all Olympic opening/closing ceremonies.
You shouldn’t think of it as keeping a secret. Think of it as keeping a promise,; being good to your your word; having integrity.
I think it’s a pretty safe assumption that you knew of this requirement when you accepted the free ticket to one of the hottest events in town, and by accepting the ticket you agreed/promised/gave your word to abide by all it’s terms and conditions.
I think you should write about it but only behind a cut. Put a spoiler alert link to get you to another page, then spew out olympic stuff until your heart and fingers are content! If someone clicks on it, it’s their problem.
(Personally I want it to be a surprise. But to each their own.
I vote against spilling beans, not because I care at all about vanoc or the MAN or whoever, but because it seems like most people don’t like spoilers. I usually think surprises are kind of silly, but for an epic event or epic movie, etc., I think they make things more enjoyable. I know if I was planning on watching such a major event live and accidentally read all the details beforehand I would be annoyed. I think it also has to with the hundreds/thousands of people putting a ton of work into the event which is designed to be a surprise, and respect for their efforts and for inviting you to have a sneek peek.
Do you hate *all* surprises? I think certain things depend entirely on the surprise factor. I find watching a playoff NHL game is exciting, but if it’s recorded and I already know the score that same game is mostly boring and pointless to watch.
I agree with Nelson.
Write about what you want to write about (understanding any potential VANOC/IOC repercussions), but put the post behind a “click to read the entire post” link with big SPOILER ALERT notices.
It’s like telling someone what’s inside their Christmas present the day before.
I’m not a big fan of VANOC but I really don’t like the idea of revealing their surprise in advance. Especially given that the conventional media will be, as you’ve spotted, keenly looking out for examples of why bloggers can’t be trusted, can’t replace them etc etc
Can you imagine if CTV found your blog and made a news story out of it? Other news agencies would certainly pick it up and you’d very quickly be very famous in a very seriously bad way. And that’s before the lawyers arrive on the front door.
But I completely understand that you want to write about your experiences. And we want to read about them too. Colleen’s idea is great – write about them but don’t publish the post until the actual opening ceremonies are finishing. That way you get to blog, we get to read and nobody gets in trouble. It’s not like, by revealing it in advance, you make anybody go or not go – that was all decided a long time ago.
While I respect those who say they don’t like surprises, do any of you *really* think that every ounce of what we see today at the rehearsal won’t be allover twitter, social media, and likely some traditional media tomorrow? Really?
The disclaimer clearly stated that large parts of the ceremonies and performances won’t be happening today so we aren’t going to have all the pieces. Similarly, if they didn’t want anyone to know about what we will be seeing, they wouldn’t have invited a giant crowd of non-olympic folk!
I admire the fact that they’ve managed to keep things under wraps – in large part because while performers etc. know their own small parts, no one knows how it will all come together. You know, like terrorist cells. The only way to keep the master plan a secret is to NOT TELL ANYONE THE MASTER PLAN.
We’re not going to have the master plan today. We’re going to see cool shit and are super appreciate of Shan for giving us the opportunity. That said, what’s seen today will not be a secret the minute the first performer struts their proverbial stuff.
And, because I like compromises in these situations, I think that you should not be the *first* one to spill the beans (this is one of those times that being first probably isn’t a good idea), but once the beans are out on the twitters and such? It’s all fair game.
Just, you know, put it behind a cut so folks have the option to see it or not.
xoxo
* Or when unsure, go with a potato farm example. That would be funny! You’ve told stories without telling stories in the past, you definitely know how to keep secrets but still tell stories when the situation requires it
* And no one else should be able to use my name in your comments. I was so confused! For a moment I was excited to read my opinion before I’d formulated it, but then I realized it wasn’t from me
* And I don’t own white, so I’m going with light coloured khaki and assuming they’ll provide white plastic bags of shame if it’s completely required
I vote for not blogging about it in advance for the sake of Shan. She’s giving you a chance to see something really cool, and it would be a shame if by some chance she did get penalized.
What I think you should do is write up a blog post about your experience, but not post it until after the opening ceremonies. Then, I think you should include side notes about what was different in the actual ceremonies. Where did someone mess up that you know because you saw the dress rehearsal? What total screw up did you see in advance that you are disappointed they got right in the live show?
Honestly, I don’t think you can spoil the spectacle by writing about it, so from that perspective I don’t have a problem with you posting it. I just think the potential fallout is too big to take the chance.
This.
If anything (even on the remote chance) could jeopardize Shan’s chances to perform at the Closing, then I figure it’s a no-brainer. Waiting a couple days wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Personally, I could give two shits about being spoiled. But I love that Shan kid like no one’s business. ;)
As someone you don’t know at all but has been reading your blog for years now, I would recommend that you write it up immediately afterward but don’t post it until after the actual event occurs. It looks like most of your people are opposed and really, your commentary will be just as amusing a few days later. And that way you won’t have The Man knocking down the door of your house and confiscating your computer.
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