Posts tagged: 4chan
4chan Founder: Anonymity is Authenticity
As the creator of one of the Internet’s most base, vile and creative websites, 4chan founder Chris Poole knows a little bit about the effects of user identity on user behavior. 4chan, a completely anonymous, real-time message forum, is the birthplace of many an Internet meme and user identity, or the lack thereof, can play a big part in this.
Poole spoke about the collaborative, creative process today in his keynote address at SXSW in Austin, Texas, spending some time on the topic of identity and authenticity. In this horserace, Poole unsurprisingly comes out on the side of anonymity.
The topic of authenticity has been in the news as of late, with the introduction of Facebook-powered comments on the Web and on sites like TechCrunch. The issue at hand is whether or not forcing users to connect their comments with their real identity will stifle expression. Will users be as honest, as authentic, if they have to connect their real name to what they say?
Some, such as blogger Robert Scoble, argue that linking comments to Facebook identity increases authenticity, not only by adding context to what people say, but also that people cannot anonymously pose as other people. Poole, at least when speaking of authenticity in terms of creativity, appears to take quite the opposite position.
“Anonymity is authenticity,” said Poole. “It allows you to share in an unvarnished, unfiltered, raw and real way. We believe in content over creator.”
Of course, when we speak of 4chan, we’re talking about a collection of memes and creations that few bloggers or publishers would want to grace their comments section.
Poole argued that identity can stifle content creators (whether commenters or otherwise) because of what’s at stake.
“The cost of failure is really high when you’re contributing as yourself,” said Poole. “To fail in an environment where you’re contributing with your real name is costly.”
On this point, Scoble had a very different opinion when he wrote last week. “REAL change comes from people putting their necks on the line. I couldn’t remember a time when an anonymous person really enacted change in, well, anything. It’s why I sign my name to everything, even stuff that could get me fired,” wrote Scoble.
What do you think — do you want Poole’s version of authenticity? Will anonymity always lead to the variety of creativity we see on 4chan? Or is anonymity a necessary party of true honesty and authenticity?
» ReadWriteWeb.com: 4chan Founder: Anonymity is Authenticity
![“And this is the thing - because it is a service started by the creators of one of the most vile, immature locales on the Internet, can expect more of the same? Take a gander at the screenshot” ^
» readwriteweb.com: Will Canvas Start Out Blank or With That 4chan Flair?
Sometimes, it’s the community that makes a site what it is. It’s that unique thread of personality, inside jokes and general rules of engagement that gives it the je ne sais quoi and separates it from the crowd. What would Reddit be without Narwhals and bacon, for example? For anonymous message board 4chan, it’s that unique community identity that’s lead to such wondrous Internet memes as Pedobear, Rick Rolling and Chocolate Rain.
So, with 4chan founder Chris Poole launching a new site, can we expect more of the same or will a new venture attract a new crowd? According to Michael Arrington over at TechCrunch, Poole has “taken what works [at 4chan], changed other things, and created something wholly new.” That new endeavor, called Canvas, is a service that lets users interact around images, remixing them to form newer, better, and likely ever more vulgar and disturbing imagery from such sacrosanct stock as pudgy babies and teddy bears.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfxmjptiTy1qzv5zlo1_500.png "“And this is the thing - because it is a service started by the creators of one of the most vile, immature locales on the Internet, can expect more of the same? Take a gander at the screenshot” ^
» readwriteweb.com: Will Canvas Start Out Blank or With That 4chan Flair?
Sometimes, it’s the community that makes a site what it is. It’s that unique thread of personality, inside jokes and general rules of engagement that gives it the je ne sais quoi and separates it from the crowd. What would Reddit be without Narwhals and bacon, for example? For anonymous message board 4chan, it’s that unique community identity that’s lead to such wondrous Internet memes as Pedobear, Rick Rolling and Chocolate Rain.
So, with 4chan founder Chris Poole launching a new site, can we expect more of the same or will a new venture attract a new crowd? According to Michael Arrington over at TechCrunch, Poole has “taken what works [at 4chan], changed other things, and created something wholly new.” That new endeavor, called Canvas, is a service that lets users interact around images, remixing them to form newer, better, and likely ever more vulgar and disturbing imagery from such sacrosanct stock as pudgy babies and teddy bears.")
“And this is the thing - because it is a service started by the creators of one of the most vile, immature locales on the Internet, can expect more of the same? Take a gander at the screenshot” ^
» readwriteweb.com: Will Canvas Start Out Blank or With That 4chan Flair?
Sometimes, it’s the community that makes a site what it is. It’s that unique thread of personality, inside jokes and general rules of engagement that gives it the je ne sais quoi and separates it from the crowd. What would Reddit be without Narwhals and bacon, for example? For anonymous message board 4chan, it’s that unique community identity that’s lead to such wondrous Internet memes as Pedobear, Rick Rolling and Chocolate Rain.
So, with 4chan founder Chris Poole launching a new site, can we expect more of the same or will a new venture attract a new crowd? According to Michael Arrington over at TechCrunch, Poole has “taken what works [at 4chan], changed other things, and created something wholly new.” That new endeavor, called Canvas, is a service that lets users interact around images, remixing them to form newer, better, and likely ever more vulgar and disturbing imagery from such sacrosanct stock as pudgy babies and teddy bears.
Took me a only a few years to realize that “4chan” sounds like “fortune”.
Moot’s TED talk on the importance of anonymity in online communities.
EVERYBODY ON THE INTERNET NEEDS TO WATCH THIS. PLZ & TY.
![Y’know what’s the first thing I thought of? How people on 4chan’s /x/ were talking about the prediction of how World War III would start in November 2010.
(Then it was in relation to how a Simpsons’ episode [I’m not kidding] seemed to have predicted that there’d be an attack or something in LA or somewhere in USA on November 6 but that obviously didn’t happen; but the basis for it was the prediction of some old prophet who’d correctly predicted the fall of the Soviet Union, for example.)
So naturally I go back to /x/ to watch them freak out. Some comments:
“/x/, I vaguely remember this blind woman prophet from Eastern Europe that predicted WW3 would start in November 2010. She also predicted the fall of Soviet Union.”
“she also says a bunch of stupid shit about god and angels new races and complete bull shit which makes no sense becasue she said the human race goes extinct and comes back somehow”
“everything /x/ thinks is gonna happen, doesnt happen. so im going witht he opposite of /x/ again.”
“If it turns out this DOES turn into WWIII and not just a border dispute … How many of you are enlisting?! Post country, age and if you will enlist!”
“The only way they’ll even let you in is if they start drafting and in that case you’ll be cannon fodder.”
“What the fuck? You need to be kidding me, /x/ of all places is considering on enlisting if this does turn out to be a WW? Turns out the general population of /x/ are just a bunch of mouthbreathers for willingly demeaning themselves to be fraught upon by someone else’s agenda.
Bunch of faggots.”
“enlist!? are you fucking stupid!? dude, you’re fighting a war for the zionists/jews. this has nothing to do with FREEDUUUUUUUM! its a fucking MINE MINE MINE fight. enjoy your early death if you do enlist”
“Now Playing: The North Korean Drama
Coming soon to a TV near you.
So the puppet masters have arranged a new show for us. As usual they used fraud like the occult and psychics to prepare everyone for their little show. Planting the seeds of fear with the occult and the lies of paganism. Hitler’s cronies did the same thing. Twisting the works of Nostradumbass to fit their evil plans.
And now the puppet masters set the stage. They players have been chosen and both are well established. The only thing is, one of those players, the villain, is an impoverished, bankrupt nation with millions of people living in near starvation. Forget about South Korea, this country couldn’t take on New Jersey.
And the ignorant masses will spread misinfo about Russia or Iran. But in reality neither country wants to defend a shithole like North Korea. Nor do they want to sacrifice their comfortable, capitalist, wester lifestyles. Whether they want to admit it or not, both nations are become more and more western with each passing day. Westernization breeds comfort, and comfort breeds peace and apathy.
So I’m just going to sit this one out. I honestly don’t care what happens. I’m not going to watch the news and I’m going to hide every topic related to the subject.
Because guess what /x/? I’m free.”
“you have severely overthunk this situation”](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcc7820j5y1qzv5zlo1_500.png "Y’know what’s the first thing I thought of? How people on 4chan’s /x/ were talking about the prediction of how World War III would start in November 2010.
(Then it was in relation to how a Simpsons’ episode [I’m not kidding] seemed to have predicted that there’d be an attack or something in LA or somewhere in USA on November 6 but that obviously didn’t happen; but the basis for it was the prediction of some old prophet who’d correctly predicted the fall of the Soviet Union, for example.)
So naturally I go back to /x/ to watch them freak out. Some comments:
“/x/, I vaguely remember this blind woman prophet from Eastern Europe that predicted WW3 would start in November 2010. She also predicted the fall of Soviet Union.”
“she also says a bunch of stupid shit about god and angels new races and complete bull shit which makes no sense becasue she said the human race goes extinct and comes back somehow”
“everything /x/ thinks is gonna happen, doesnt happen. so im going witht he opposite of /x/ again.”
“If it turns out this DOES turn into WWIII and not just a border dispute … How many of you are enlisting?! Post country, age and if you will enlist!”
“The only way they’ll even let you in is if they start drafting and in that case you’ll be cannon fodder.”
“What the fuck? You need to be kidding me, /x/ of all places is considering on enlisting if this does turn out to be a WW? Turns out the general population of /x/ are just a bunch of mouthbreathers for willingly demeaning themselves to be fraught upon by someone else’s agenda.
Bunch of faggots.”
“enlist!? are you fucking stupid!? dude, you’re fighting a war for the zionists/jews. this has nothing to do with FREEDUUUUUUUM! its a fucking MINE MINE MINE fight. enjoy your early death if you do enlist”
“Now Playing: The North Korean Drama
Coming soon to a TV near you.
So the puppet masters have arranged a new show for us. As usual they used fraud like the occult and psychics to prepare everyone for their little show. Planting the seeds of fear with the occult and the lies of paganism. Hitler’s cronies did the same thing. Twisting the works of Nostradumbass to fit their evil plans.
And now the puppet masters set the stage. They players have been chosen and both are well established. The only thing is, one of those players, the villain, is an impoverished, bankrupt nation with millions of people living in near starvation. Forget about South Korea, this country couldn’t take on New Jersey.
And the ignorant masses will spread misinfo about Russia or Iran. But in reality neither country wants to defend a shithole like North Korea. Nor do they want to sacrifice their comfortable, capitalist, wester lifestyles. Whether they want to admit it or not, both nations are become more and more western with each passing day. Westernization breeds comfort, and comfort breeds peace and apathy.
So I’m just going to sit this one out. I honestly don’t care what happens. I’m not going to watch the news and I’m going to hide every topic related to the subject.
Because guess what /x/? I’m free.”
“you have severely overthunk this situation”")
Y’know what’s the first thing I thought of? How people on 4chan’s /x/ were talking about the prediction of how World War III would start in November 2010.
(Then it was in relation to how a Simpsons’ episode [I’m not kidding] seemed to have predicted that there’d be an attack or something in LA or somewhere in USA on November 6 but that obviously didn’t happen; but the basis for it was the prediction of some old prophet who’d correctly predicted the fall of the Soviet Union, for example.)
So naturally I go back to /x/ to watch them freak out. Some comments:
“/x/, I vaguely remember this blind woman prophet from Eastern Europe that predicted WW3 would start in November 2010. She also predicted the fall of Soviet Union.”
“she also says a bunch of stupid shit about god and angels new races and complete bull shit which makes no sense becasue she said the human race goes extinct and comes back somehow”
“everything /x/ thinks is gonna happen, doesnt happen. so im going witht he opposite of /x/ again.”
“If it turns out this DOES turn into WWIII and not just a border dispute … How many of you are enlisting?! Post country, age and if you will enlist!”
“The only way they’ll even let you in is if they start drafting and in that case you’ll be cannon fodder.”
“What the fuck? You need to be kidding me, /x/ of all places is considering on enlisting if this does turn out to be a WW? Turns out the general population of /x/ are just a bunch of mouthbreathers for willingly demeaning themselves to be fraught upon by someone else’s agenda.
Bunch of faggots.”
“enlist!? are you fucking stupid!? dude, you’re fighting a war for the zionists/jews. this has nothing to do with FREEDUUUUUUUM! its a fucking MINE MINE MINE fight. enjoy your early death if you do enlist”
“Now Playing: The North Korean Drama
Coming soon to a TV near you.
So the puppet masters have arranged a new show for us. As usual they used fraud like the occult and psychics to prepare everyone for their little show. Planting the seeds of fear with the occult and the lies of paganism. Hitler’s cronies did the same thing. Twisting the works of Nostradumbass to fit their evil plans.
And now the puppet masters set the stage. They players have been chosen and both are well established. The only thing is, one of those players, the villain, is an impoverished, bankrupt nation with millions of people living in near starvation. Forget about South Korea, this country couldn’t take on New Jersey.
And the ignorant masses will spread misinfo about Russia or Iran. But in reality neither country wants to defend a shithole like North Korea. Nor do they want to sacrifice their comfortable, capitalist, wester lifestyles. Whether they want to admit it or not, both nations are become more and more western with each passing day. Westernization breeds comfort, and comfort breeds peace and apathy.
So I’m just going to sit this one out. I honestly don’t care what happens. I’m not going to watch the news and I’m going to hide every topic related to the subject.
Because guess what /x/? I’m free.”
“you have severely overthunk this situation”
HA HA
From Hot Topic’s Facebook:
“Rage Guy is the character Hot Topic sells, see the original post from 1 year ago. The character focuses on interesting situations, check out the image gallery.
Race Guy is the newest iteration posted this afternoon, today (the character everyone is talking about).
Who created Race Guy? We don’t know. Who created Rage Guy? We don’t know. We sold the shirt because it is pop culture and the series was funny. Why not let our customers express they’re interest in meme’s? So now what? Well, Hot Topic is the last company to support racism. Hell, we support diversity and wear it proudly. Now that the character represents racism because of these unknown creators - we will no longer be selling it.
After tonight (11/17), it will be removed from our website. Next week, it will be removed from our stores.”
Looks Like /b/ gets really upset about all the commercialised memes
Just right now on /b/ This thread popped up.
The Doctor
It is reasonable if you think about it. Memes are owned by nobody, so nobody should make money off them. Claiming them as one’s own is a betrayal of our entire culture.
Second that.
Reblogging to spread further.
On a sidenote, what the fuck am I reading? Just a couple days after the birth of the union, suddenly we have ACTUALLY WORTHY RAIDS?
Worthy? Really? They’re/You’re trying to protect an old, stupid meme. If I was an avid channer, I’d be like, “fine, take this, and take the rest of our leftovers; want some shit too?”
If I saw someone walking around in a rageguy shirt, I’d instantly have zero respect for them. (Some people I follow actually go “FFFUUUUUUU” sometimes. Makes me sadface. -_-)
“Another operation? We must all be surgeons by now.” ~Anonymous
I do, however, approve of lulz: http://www.facebook.com/pages/End-HotTopic-racism/167353886618034
<.<
re: tumblarians bringing more cancer to /b/
Just how many /b/tards have made a tumblr account in the past few days, I wonder? ._. This whole thing is like exchanging different STDs.
(re: 4chan vs/& Tumblr)
“Over the past few days, we’ve watched a battle unfold between two Internet giants. No, not Google and Facebook. 4chan and Tumblr. Members of the two sites have come to blows, so to speak, over who “owns” Internet memes, and some on the 4chan message board called for “Operation Overlord” - a DDoS attack targeted against the microblogging site. Tumblr users have threatened to respond by filling the 4chan boards with pictures of kittens. And both sites have taken turns over the past 24 hours being offline.
It’s easy, perhaps, to dismiss this back-and-forth of bored and disgruntled teenagers. And because one of the call-to-arms on 4chan said “We are Anonymous” and involved a denial-of-service tactic, it may be easy to confuse 4chan v Tumblr with the more recent DDoS attacks undertaken by Anonymous. /—/”
» Anonymous’s DDoS Attacks May Make Headlines, But Do They Make a Difference?
