Introduction to the How-Fun Ranking System
The How-Fun Ranking System (HFRS) is the principal mechanism that the EPA uses to properly measure and assess the fun that Superfun! sites generate. It is a numerically based screening system.
The HFRS uses a structured analysis approach to scoring sites. This approach assigns numerical values to fun-related factors at the site. Fun Factors are ranked on a 1-100 scale, and are grouped into 5 general categories:
- Use Fun (HFRS_01U)
- The fun you can have by using the toxic products a SF! site produces [learn more]
A SF! site that manufactures BPAs or PFAS (forever chemicals), for example—to use in baby rattles, pizza boxes, Spiderman costumes, and a wide range of other fun catalysts—earns a high HFRS_01U score; while a site that processes military-grade uranium will earn a moderate score, as the nuclear bombs, while less fun to use directly, inspire Bond films and a great many video games.
- The fun you can have by using the toxic products a SF! site produces [learn more]
- Capital Fun (HFRS_02C)
- The fun you can have by enjoying the wealth a SF! site generates—as people make, transport, market, sell, use, and dispose of the toxic industrial products as well as clean up the inevitable on-site and off-site WTF messes [learn more]
NOTE: while relatively few people enjoy the lion’s share of the Capital Fun, the sheer quantity tends to compensate for the often shockingly uneven distribution.
A site that Exxon or another global oil conglomerate owns and/or abandons will enjoy a high HFRS_02C score, as a raft of executives and shareholders spend their profits on private jets, beach houses, and luxury vacations; while a small family-owned dump that holds illegal radioactive waste will score far lower, as the owners buy less stuff, take vacations more rarely, and always fly Basic Economy.
- The fun you can have by enjoying the wealth a SF! site generates—as people make, transport, market, sell, use, and dispose of the toxic industrial products as well as clean up the inevitable on-site and off-site WTF messes [learn more]
- Nearby Fun (HFRS_03N)
- The fun you can enjoy within a half-mile of a SF! site (includes a walkability-to-fun subscore) [learn more]
NOTE: those who enjoy the most Nearby Fun often enjoy the least Capital Fun.
A baseball stadium or a big regional park that draws large crowds to a SF!-adjacent site will boost an HFRS_03N score considerably, as will a high density of playgrounds, backyard BBQ grills, and youth rec centers; while additional nearby SF! sites will lower the score, as will a prison, a payday loan store, or an Amazon-style mega-warehouse complex.
- The fun you can enjoy within a half-mile of a SF! site (includes a walkability-to-fun subscore) [learn more]
- Remedial Fun (HFRS_04R)
- The good cleanish on-site fun you can have on a cleaned-up SF! site [learn more]
NOTE: a warehouse center or other low-HFRS_04R facility will nevertheless encourage scads of ultra-toxic industrial production, and thereby will boost the Use, Heritage, and especially Capital Fun Factors at a wide range of other SF! sites near and far.
SEE ALSO: Remedial Fun Options Guide
A SF! site that becomes a state park that draws millions of visitors will score especially high on the HFRS_04R scale. A golf training facility for “at-risk” neighborhood youth will earn a moderate score; while a kill shelter, office park, or warehouse center will score considerably lower.
- The good cleanish on-site fun you can have on a cleaned-up SF! site [learn more]
- Heritage Fun (HFRS_05H)
- The fun that a SF! site facilitates through the associations of the ultra-toxic products with the American Dream [learn more]
NOTE: most Superfun! sites have high HFRS_05H scores.
Sites that earn high Heritage Fun scores might produce (or produce the components of) cars and trucks (of course!), pesticides, Barbies, lawnmowers, rugs, cosmetics, guns and bullets, paints, plastics, household cleaners, bombs, sunscreens, plywood, or [your favorite toxic product here]
- The fun that a SF! site facilitates through the associations of the ultra-toxic products with the American Dream [learn more]
The overall Superfun! HFRS site score is derived using the industry standard for modeling as first initiated in the Practices Guidebook for Superfun! Modeling ver. 3.5 (1990). In addition, the HFRS assigns sub-scores to 5 common fun pathways—active, passive, healthy, unhealthy, and mega-unhealthy—for each of the 5 Fun Factors. The resulting scores are adjusted for inflation, rounded down, and standardized.
If all Fun Factor (FF) scores are low, the site score is low. However, the site score can be relatively high even if only one FF score is high. This is an important feature of HFRS scoring, as some extremely fun sites generate fun through only one or two FFs.
The QuickFunScore! is an electronic scoring tool you can use to calculate your own Superfun! site score. Find it here.
Also see: the How-Fucd Rating System
A SF! site that manufactures BPAs or PFAS (forever chemicals), for example—to use in baby rattles, pizza boxes, Spiderman costumes, and a wide range of other fun catalysts—earns a high HFRS_01U score; while a site that processes military-grade uranium will earn a moderate score, as the nuclear bombs, while less fun to use directly, inspire Bond films and a great many video games.
A site that Exxon or another global oil conglomerate owns and/or abandons will enjoy a high HFRS_02C score, as a raft of executives and shareholders spend their profits on private jets, beach houses, and luxury vacations; while a small family-owned dump that holds illegal radioactive waste will score far lower, as the owners buy less stuff, take vacations more rarely, and always fly Basic Economy.
A baseball stadium or a big regional park that draws large crowds to a SF!-adjacent site will boost an HFRS_03N score considerably, as will a high density of playgrounds, backyard BBQ grills, and youth rec centers; while additional nearby SF! sites will lower the score, as will a prison, a payday loan store, or an Amazon-style mega-warehouse complex.
A SF! site that becomes a state park that draws millions of visitors will score especially high on the HFRS_04R scale. A golf training facility for “at-risk” neighborhood youth will earn a moderate score; while a kill shelter, office park, or warehouse center will score considerably lower.
Sites that earn high Heritage Fun scores might produce (or produce the components of) cars and trucks (of course!), pesticides, Barbies, lawnmowers, rugs, cosmetics, guns and bullets, paints, plastics, household cleaners, bombs, sunscreens, plywood, or [your favorite toxic product here]