Why Some Moms Don't like Variations on the 'F' Bomb Word Used in TV Shows Aimed at Kids and Teens to Inspire an Interest in Science

Why don't they simply call it cool, practical science? Most moms here in Sacramento probably don't like the idea of a science show for children and teenagers using the word, effin'. Sure, most teens probably know what shock word 'effin' represents in the slang world of softening up 'f' bombs, but must kids hear the word 'effin' over and over on a science show?

Is that a way to make science popular as entertainment? Why don't they simply call it cool science? The problem some Sacramento moms have is the title's use of the word, effin'. Couldn't they have used a more intelligent word instead of a word that substitutes for the F bomb? The show's title seems to be eagerly trying to turn the word effin' into the word 'cool.'

The producers sure don't sound as if they are trying to say, "That's not science, it's (a grade of 'F') in science." Get it? Effin' science sounds a lot like someone is saying that they received an 'F' in science, for example, instead of an 'A' in science. No, the show means what it states, that it's effin' science as seen in its title.

The show can be seen in Sacramento on Dish satellite TV, or segments can be seen on uTube at the It's Effin' Science site. The program also is on the G4 website. Also see the G4 blog. People often go to the G4 website to look at games and to read about gaming. The TV show also appeals to young males, especially those interested in video games and to any females interested in practical and futuristic science and/or gaming.

The show repeats the adage, "This isn't science. It's Effin' Science." According to the numerous uTube videos of the science show, " It's a full-on hack of the sciences with one goal in mind: use them to do, build or create the kind of stuff guys always wanted, wish they'd invented or didn't know they needed--until now." See the uTube video, It's an Effin' Rocket-Powered Skateboard!

"I'm sick and tired of mass media trying to sell the popularity of science as pop culture by using takeoffs on the 'f' bomb," says Sacramento mom, A.J.L. "Why can't they call the show something like 'science for all ages' or 'science for the people'? Or better yet, why can't they name the show 'turning science fiction into reality'?"

Apparently, producers might consider the words "cool science" to be two generations old and obsolete already among numerous young viewers who may constantly use the F bomb in daily speech to their peers. Just because so many young people emulate various entertainment and sports celebrities using the F bomb (bleeped out) during TV interviews or the fact that it's used in various theatrical movies, on the air, the F Bomb gets bleeped out of interviews, but not from movies aired on TV.

Radio shows allow substitutes for the F bomb, such as, freakin' or frikken. You hear it sometimes on Sacramento radio shows when a few talk show hosts comment with one another. The world is used for emphasis or to show a rise in rage. But all it raises is the speaker's blood pressure, in many instances.

What word would you use for 'cool' that kids could use that sounds popular and intelligent? Apparently the producers have either assumed or researched and found that the present generation is tired of the word 'cool' for useful, practical, and realistic. What happened to the whiz kids of invention, science, and entrepreneurism? Will they now be the effin' kids?

In fact, at the uTube "It's Effin' Science" website, a long list of videos are presented, targeting children, appealing to male children, and those girls interested in science in a practical, mechanical way, at the uTube It's Effin' Science site.

The purpose of appealing to children and teenagers with a new science program on TV might be to help kids look at science as less brutal than algebra for those who don't have the persistence of time or the smarts to understand. But compared to enlightening, uplifting science fiction to fact science shows such as Through the Wormhole: Science Channel, or shows that include theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, (see Welcome to Explorations in Science with Dr. Michio Kaku) some Sacramento moms would like to see science presented as fun and learning, for example, showing how some science fiction is becoming reality, not as a hack on the sciences.

Sure, science is awesome, but wouldn't it be so much more awesome if you could get it to do and build things to make your life better without using takeoffs of the 'f' bomb shock word such as the title of the show using the word effin'? The producers don't mean elfin, that is, related to Santa's elfs as in the winter season being the elfin season. No, the show is called, "It's Effin' Science."

Producers are perhaps trying to build future scientists with the science presented as entertainment. Instead of the science show being based on making learning fun by showing kids how to build their future by lifting themselves up by their bootstraps, instead, the show, " It's Effin' Science," is based on the popular Attack of the Show segment. See, Attack of the Show: Viral Videos and Hot new Gadgets - G4tv.com.

What the show should be about, since it's geared to hot-new gadgets and devices, would be to tell kids how to be inventors and whiz kids. Instead, the show is a full-on hack of the sciences with three experts that explore the weird, wild, and off-beat side of science while making your life easier. It's great to make life easier. But why sell the show to kids with the word effin' instead of the words, green, solar, or entrepreneurial?

The show presents excellent experts on practical science. That's what's good about the show, it's reliance on the useful and practical gadgets of science. It's not a lecture on theory each time the show runs. You can see videos on the websites, It's Effin' Science - G4tv.com, Cool Science Experiments, Cool Science Tricks - G4tv.com, and It's Effin' Science - Hulu.

Read more at the Attack of the Show blog. Kids and teens who watch Attack of the Show are now supposed to also watch and like the show, It's "'Effin Science." Basically, in the new dictionary of slang 'effin has now been turned into a new word that kids use instead of the word 'cool' that has been used now for more than one generation.

Numerous people may say, "Oh, it's only a joke, a way to get a laugh, to use humor to motivate kids to enjoy practical science." But what 'smart' word would you use to inspire kids to take an interest in science, especially if they're already interested in gaming, e-gadgets, and entertainment?