Today in Dumbassery

Usually this series involves people trying to force their beliefs on others, in one way or another. Today, however, we have something a bit different that has none the less devolved through the levels of ridiculous and asshattery to reach the bottom that is dumbassery:

The Sci-Fi Channel is changing its name to "SyFy".

I can hear you thinking, well, ok...and?

It's not just that the name is visually goofy, it's the reasoning behind why they're trying to "mainstream" the network:

“The name Sci Fi has been associated with geeks and dysfunctional, antisocial boys in their basements with video games and stuff like that, as opposed to the general public and the female audience in particular,” said TV historian Tim Brooks, who helped launch Sci Fi Channel when he worked at USA Network.

And they think "SyFy" is going to draw in women viewers? Why would that be? Because suddenly "SyFy" has some cutesy appeal? Because that's what draws women? WTF is the thinking here? And, hey, thanks for ignoring all the fantastic women viewers already watching. Also, what exactly, pray tell, is wrong with geeks? Way to be blatantly offensive and alienating.

The crowning glory of inanity really seems to be the best evidence they're waving about for this change: "techno-savvy" 18 - 34 year olds might like to text it (and that makes them feel "much cooler, much more cutting-edge, much more hip" per David Howe [president Sci Fi Channel]). Now, I'm fairly "techno-savvy" and I'll tell you what, I'm not likely to text that. Of course, you've already brushed me off when you outright said you're trying to move away from being associated with geeks and ignored me as a woman viewer then questioned my intelligence by assuming I'd tune in to a network because it's called "SyFy", so I'm fairly sure you don't care what will or will not text even if I do fit in that "techno-savvy" age demographic.

I realize the Sci Fi Channel hasn't exactly been a paragon of all things sci-fi (wrestling, anyone?). But still. Principle.