Rural Dictionary

Spoilerism, or Survival of the Spoilerist

The school of thought surrounding a cultures treatment of spoilers in the media. Most cultures accept it is necessary now to warn people in recent media that an article or review of something *may contain spoilers*

The case of Spoilerism is one in particular that deals with an undeclared cut off date at which people can freely discuss an 'older media'. For example after something has reached the point at which it is on DVD and available at all local libraries.

The sentiment of the more radical... Spoilerism, or Survival of the Spoilerist - wherein, "if you have not after this grace period managed to watch said spoiled media, you dont get to whine about something being spoiled by office conversation or public discussion, as logic follows any such media of such importance would have already warranted viewing. Considerations made for POW's, members of cults, liberated mennonites, etc.. "

The more conservative spoilerist is angered by this, and considers the entire act one of terrorism, in which the show or movie is now ruined essentially and not worth watching at all now. Particularly common among enraged fanboys etc.

Most people can distinguish between the easy non-spoiler such as Titanic or Snakes on a Plane. But even in this case the spoiler sensitive may take offense.

by f8tus November 19, 2010

2👍 1👎

urban survival syndrome

Of or relating to the "kill or be killed" mentality of inherent fear that residents of crime-prone areas have of each other. This "fear-thy-neighbor" mentality causes individuals to feel they have no way of protecting themselves from crime or violence, except by killing anybody who threatens or harasses them.

Such mentality is usually the result of living in violent, crime-prone (typically inner-city) areas for long periods of time and/or watching too much television (no joke).

"Urban survival syndrome" has been used as a legal defense sporadically throughout American history but was first invoked in Texas (go figure) in 1993 by a black youth named Daimion Osby.

Daimion Osby had been shooting craps with a group of people and collected a hefty wad of cash ($400). After the other players paid up, he violated the etiquette rules of street craps by trying to abandon the game without giving the other players a chance to win some of their money back.

Marcus Brooks, one of the players who had suffered considerable losses during the game, threatened to "get" Osby as he walked off. With the help of cousin Willie, Marcus Brooks attempted to shake down Osby during a basketball game, resulting in a fight that was ultimately broken up by police. Osby was again confronted by the duo while in his car sitting at a traffic light; the Brooks brandished a shotgun and tried to force Osby to pull over, but he fled. After a final uneventful confrontation in a public park, Osby purchased a .38 caliber handgun and started carrying it with him for protection.

While conversing with a woman curbside one evening, Osby was again accosted by the Brooks duo. The Brooks drove their car onto the curb, hitting Osby. They then got out of the car and began assaulting him using their fists. At this point Osby drew his gun and killed one of the Brooks cousins with a single shot to the head. As the surviving cousin retreated to his car to retrieve his own handgun, Osby aerated the surviving assailant's skull with another perfect shot to the head.

At Osby's first trial, his attorneys claimed the double homicide was an act of self-defense in the name of urban survival--if he hadn't shot them, they would have returned to threaten, harass or kill him later. Amusingly enough Osby's attorneys tried to convince the jury that anybody having to fight off two black guys would probably react similarly in fearing for their life; given the statistics, there's a lot of reason to believe black men are scary. But even more amusingly, the defense succeeded (to some degree).

There was no verdict; the jury was hung because one of two black jurors on the panel believed Osby had acted in self-defense. Prosecutors vowed a retrial.

The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution provides for protection against retrials; unless the defendant appeals a guilty verdict, he cannot be tried for the same crime twice (except being tried in both civil and criminal court). However, a hung jury does not prove conclusive--he was neither convicted nor acquitted, so he was fair game for a retrial.

The retrial was held and the "urban survival" plea was not repeated; Osby was found guilty of murder and received an automatic life sentence, as prosecutors had decided before the second trial to not seek the death penalty.

by Siegfried Zaga May 29, 2005

5👍 7👎

Bushwackers Survival Kit

Spoilerism, or Survival of the Spoilerist

urban survival syndrome

Ark Survival Evolved

Ark survival evolved

Ark survival of the fittest

Ark: Survival Evolved