3 ms·

If you look at my comment history I've made this exact point about politics. I agree with you. 4chan as a whole isn't any more racist than any other forum. The

by deft 8y ago

If you look at my comment history I've made this exact point about politics. I agree with you. 4chan as a whole isn't any more racist than any other forum. The boards are separated by topics just like reddit for example. My purpose behind my comment was simply saying if you avoid the parts you don't like (exactly how you do on the internet in general, stormfront is a thing), you don't experience that toxicity. I rarely see racism on the boards I browse. And I'd say I see a lot more racism on average on reddit.

aspaceman 8y ago
I see what you mean. But minorities always just "ignore it" - but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect them. It's how folks are frequently taught to cope. Even if you're staying in more of the "safe" boards, I imagine you're always worried that someone you're interacting with doesn't.
- adamrezich 8y ago
  Why would anyone posting on an anonymous imageboard be worried about people making negative comments towards them, anonymously? Your fellow anonymous users only know about you what you choose to share in your posts, and unlike reddit or HN, you don't have a persistent identity.
  - aspaceman 8y ago
    Because it tells you that's what "society" thinks of you. And that will affect your day-to-day life. It affects folks in the same way learning that a lot of folks on Reddit/HN like to Haskell. "Oh hey I didn't know Haskell was so popular"
    - adamrezich 8y ago
      But "you" are not "you" when you post on an anonymous imageboard. Most boards don't even have poster IDs, so you can't even distinguish individuals with multiple posts in the same thread. You're just seeing a bunch of posts from random people who could even be replying to themselves, and you have no way of knowing, unless you obsessively check the "unique IPs in this thread" number as new posts flow in. I post on HN with my real name, but you use a pseudonym. Nevertheless, your pseudonym has a posting history and karma number attached to it, so anything you post will "stick with you" in a persistent manner. Discussions somewhat resemble real-life discussion because one can track who's saying what, what everyone's said in the past, and so forth. If I flame you, my post probably gets deleted and I might even get banned, because that's how this community has decided to moderate itself. Anonymous imageboards like 4chan are wholly different beasts altogether. If I post something foolish here on HN, perhaps talking out of my ass, saying something incorrect, I'd get downvotes and comments telling me why I'm wrong. You might even remember my handle as "that one guy who said the dumb incorrect thing one time" next time you see it. on 4chan, when you make a dumb post and everyone dogpiles on you, calling you out for your idiocy and calling you bad names, you can just close the tab and move on in your life. People aren't attacking YOU, they're attacking Post #418317258, and its author has closed the tab and permanently disassociated himself from it.
- jimmies 8y ago
  >But minorities always just "ignore it" - but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect them. Everyone has to go to school, the park, etc, and I pay the same tax so having an environment that is pleasant for everyone is a required property. I can't ignore someone shouting to me insulting slurs for who I am. But no one has to go to 4chan, if someone feels offended they can just not visit it. I would quote "Shit my dad says" on this: "Don't focus on the one guy who hates you. You don't go to the park and set your picnic down next to the only pile of dog shit."

by deft 8y ago

aspaceman 8y ago

I see what you mean. But minorities always just "ignore it" - but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect them. It's how folks are frequently taught to cope. Even if you're staying in more of the "safe" boards, I imagine you're always worried that someone you're interacting with doesn't.

adamrezich 8y ago
Why would anyone posting on an anonymous imageboard be worried about people making negative comments towards them, anonymously? Your fellow anonymous users only know about you what you choose to share in your posts, and unlike reddit or HN, you don't have a persistent identity.
- aspaceman 8y ago
  Because it tells you that's what "society" thinks of you. And that will affect your day-to-day life. It affects folks in the same way learning that a lot of folks on Reddit/HN like to Haskell. "Oh hey I didn't know Haskell was so popular"
  - adamrezich 8y ago
    But "you" are not "you" when you post on an anonymous imageboard. Most boards don't even have poster IDs, so you can't even distinguish individuals with multiple posts in the same thread. You're just seeing a bunch of posts from random people who could even be replying to themselves, and you have no way of knowing, unless you obsessively check the "unique IPs in this thread" number as new posts flow in. I post on HN with my real name, but you use a pseudonym. Nevertheless, your pseudonym has a posting history and karma number attached to it, so anything you post will "stick with you" in a persistent manner. Discussions somewhat resemble real-life discussion because one can track who's saying what, what everyone's said in the past, and so forth. If I flame you, my post probably gets deleted and I might even get banned, because that's how this community has decided to moderate itself. Anonymous imageboards like 4chan are wholly different beasts altogether. If I post something foolish here on HN, perhaps talking out of my ass, saying something incorrect, I'd get downvotes and comments telling me why I'm wrong. You might even remember my handle as "that one guy who said the dumb incorrect thing one time" next time you see it. on 4chan, when you make a dumb post and everyone dogpiles on you, calling you out for your idiocy and calling you bad names, you can just close the tab and move on in your life. People aren't attacking YOU, they're attacking Post #418317258, and its author has closed the tab and permanently disassociated himself from it.
jimmies 8y ago
>But minorities always just "ignore it" - but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect them. Everyone has to go to school, the park, etc, and I pay the same tax so having an environment that is pleasant for everyone is a required property. I can't ignore someone shouting to me insulting slurs for who I am. But no one has to go to 4chan, if someone feels offended they can just not visit it. I would quote "Shit my dad says" on this: "Don't focus on the one guy who hates you. You don't go to the park and set your picnic down next to the only pile of dog shit."