Kewls
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Kewls is the label Sciencemadness give to people, often adolescents, who are often primarily interested in energetic materials or other dangerous materials and have little to no interest in actual chemistry. Kewls are related to Cooks (or kooks).
How to identify kewls
Kewls often are interested in synthesizing common explosives, like triacetone triperoxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, or flash powder. They have little regard for safety and will often brag about making bigger amounts of or more powerful explosives.
Synthesizing toxic gases such as phosgene or phosphine is another common interest that has resulted in a death of a Sciencemadness member, Myfanwy.
What to do about them
Some kewls are actually interested in chemistry - their interest grew out of a fascination for explosives. It may help to direct them to references which are related to their interests.
Others are just interested in explosions, and have little interest in the underlying chemistry.
Since kewls will likely find procedures for conducting their dangerous practices no matter what, it is advised that instead of being ignored, they are provided with the proper information to insure that what they do is safe. One can only hope that in the future they will move on from such dangerous behavior to developing a genuine interest in chemistry.
