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Interview: Ask Christopher "moot" Poole About 4chan and Social Media

Posted by samzenpus on from the go-ahead-and-ask dept.

Having started 4chan when he was 15, Christopher Poole, better known as "moot", is indirectly responsible for almost every meme you've ever seen. The group "Anonymous" originated on 4chan and has since engaged in a number of well-publicized publicity stunts and distributed denial-of-service attacks. Thanks to users gaming the system, moot was famously voted the world's most influential person of 2008 in an open internet poll conducted by Time magazine. He is an advocate of online anonymity and speaks on the importance of privacy online to foster creativity and open discussion. moot has agreed to answer your questions about 4chan, social media, and privacy. As usual, ask as many as you'd like, but please, one per post.

11 of 220 comments (clear)

  1. Moot.it C&D by eldavojohn · · Score: 4, Interesting

    We're super big fans of C&Ds here and I would like to know what happened with your C&D to Moot.it. How did it come about and what was the resolution?

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    My work here is dung.
  2. Adblockers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What is the impact of adblockers on your website?

  3. Come, Regale Us with Tales of Yore by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You founded 4chan. Care to elaborate on any of the undoubtedly countless times shit has gotten real?

    You know, things you wouldn't tell WSJ when you were seeking solvency but are juicy crazy stories?

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    My work here is dung.
  4. On why you're not locked up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    How many times have you given 4chan poster/visitor data to the authorities, or do you simply allow them to examine logs in real time?

  5. /b/ by XPeter · · Score: 5, Interesting

    How often to you get political pressure to take down /b/, and 4chan as a whole? Also, what is your favorite board?

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    "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits" - Albert Einstein
  6. Happyness by Zilog · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Did 4chan brought you more happiness than pain/anxiety since it's beginning ? How is it going today?

  7. The Fappening by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Thanks to "The Fappening" event in the last couple of days 4chan has gone mainstream in newspapers, tv, and other media.
    What are your feelings about it?

  8. Vigilantes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    A common mode of operation seems to be this:

    1) A Bad Thing (TM) happens. Recent example: Leaking of private photos.
    2) The culprit is identified in real life by someone doing "detective work". E.g. identifying BluntMastermind as Bryan Hamade
    3) Anonymous people release a shitstorm on that person, through harassment and stalking, in real life.

    Step 2 opens the evidence to the public, which is good. However, in step 3, the actor is not the police/justice system, but vigilantes who take the punishing into their own hand. The rights of the accused are completely ignored, and he/she has no way of defense. A number of people who have, innocently become victims of this, have told their story.

    What do you think of this development of side-stepping the justice system, and online vigilantes? Is it due to disappointment in the police and justice system? Is it human nature that comes out in large, anonymous groups (Elias Canetti comes to mind)?
    Now I am not arguing against anonymity. Anonymity online certainly has a important place on the Internet. However I would like to understand why this is happening, and whether you think cybermobs automatically arise with Anonymity.

  9. So what do you think the chances are by wiredog · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That NSA and GCHQ are able to monitor 4Chan and track who the "anonymous" posters are?

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    Best Slashdot Co
  10. 4chan moderation style by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There's been a lot of talk about the 4chan moderation lately and a lot of users seem to feel like the moderation has been too heavy on several boards, especially regarding certain subjects. There's also been a lot of accusations of there being too many SJW and normalfag janitors who supposedly make the boards more friendly towards their ideals and their kind of people (the thought of which, for obvious reasons, easily upsets a lot of 4channers).

    What is your take on these accusations, do you agree that the moderation has taken a turn to be more inclusive and if so, is it a conscious effort? If not, what do you think about the current state of moderation and do you have any plans for the future? Heck, are you even involved in any moderating decisions?

  11. Beautiful Works of Art by alphabet26 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    While 4chan may be a cesspool of filth and depravity I have found some beautiful and interesting things I would have never known existed. I know it's a matter of taste, but what do you think the ratio of garbage to worthwhile content is on the site as a whole? Which board has the highest garbage content and which has the highest worthwhile content?

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    -AlPhAbEt