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Indeed, nearly every evil of the internet begins, or picks up steam, on the site. To invoke yet another metaphor: It’s a breeding ground. (The fact that 4chan h
by josefresco 8y ago
Indeed, nearly every evil of the internet begins, or picks up steam, on the site. To invoke yet another metaphor: It’s a breeding ground. (The fact that 4chan has been called so many things suggests a feeble attempt to make sense of chaos.) Many of the recruitment techniques of the so-called alt-right were piloted there; many white nationalists started out as 4channers. It’s unclear if or how one ages out of the site—but it is clear that it unleashes trolls on the real world.
Sounds like a great place.
- taneq 8y agoThey're ignoring the fact that much of current internet culture also originated there.
- josefresco 8y agoCurrent Internet culture is toxic so yeah - I guess that makes sense. 4chan was all fun and games until it started effecting people IRL. Swastikas are only funny when there's no chance they'll infiltrate the real world. When nazis are being elected, it's not so funny anymore.
- Brakenshire 8y agoSeems to be something people repeat for the 'anarchic creativity' narrative rather than an actual truth.
- SiempreViernes 8y agoI think knowyourmeme can attribute quite a few memes to 4chan, and the traditional account is that both Anonymous and the alt-right was spawned there, so they certainly did contribute to internet culture. The question is really how many lolcatz do you need to balance out one radicalized incel?
- SiempreViernes 8y agoYes, I'm sure r/memeeconomy and other very serious and important people are grateful.