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4chan, or more specifically, /b/, moves fast and several mechanisms (like the 150-image limit per thread) are in place to keep it that way. The limited lifetime

by niftich 10y ago

4chan, or more specifically, /b/, moves fast and several mechanisms (like the 150-image limit per thread) are in place to keep it that way. The limited lifetime and ephemerality of content encourages people to save things they find good, to be reposted later and frequently for others to see. Therefore the /b/ experience, although often trashy at best, vulgar and hateful at worst, does allow good content to organically bubble to the top, and not just by absent-mindedly clicking the 'reblog'/'retweet'/'share' button, but by individuals uploading the same saved image or composing a derivative work. It's the internet equivalent of one-off barroom quips, of graffiti in bathroom stalls, of spray paint tags on urban blight. It's us humans at some of our best, and some of our worst.

pdkl95 10y ago
> The limited lifetime and ephemerality of content While I love[1] the idea of having a place for ephemeral anonymous communicationj, that may have been only a local feature. As Jason Scott said[2], "You're like, 'No one notices if I post on 4chan.' [...] I have ten million archived threads of 4chan, for five years." I'm sure that number has grown in the years since he said that. 4chan only seems ephemeral. [1] I totally agree about /b/ (and the rest of 4chan) being raw unfiltered humanity; it's a lot of junk, a few examples of humanity at its worst, and a handful of creative gems. A majority, I think, is simply people trying to express themselves in new ways. We need a place for that kind of free experimentation. [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq70QKa7588#t=545 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq70QKa7588#t=545
- meowface 10y ago
  Archives of individual 4chan boards are also growing more in demand. The more niche boards seem to like being able to search through past discussions. It's extremely useful for finding new artists via /mu/, for example.

by niftich 10y ago

pdkl95 10y ago

> The limited lifetime and ephemerality of content While I love[1] the idea of having a place for ephemeral anonymous communicationj, that may have been only a local feature. As Jason Scott said[2], "You're like, 'No one notices if I post on 4chan.' [...] I have ten million archived threads of 4chan, for five years." I'm sure that number has grown in the years since he said that. 4chan only seems ephemeral. [1] I totally agree about /b/ (and the rest of 4chan) being raw unfiltered humanity; it's a lot of junk, a few examples of humanity at its worst, and a handful of creative gems. A majority, I think, is simply people trying to express themselves in new ways. We need a place for that kind of free experimentation. [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq70QKa7588#t=545 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq70QKa7588#t=545

meowface 10y ago
Archives of individual 4chan boards are also growing more in demand. The more niche boards seem to like being able to search through past discussions. It's extremely useful for finding new artists via /mu/, for example.