Issue: The issue our group has chosen pertains to environments like anonymous image-boards, in particular 4chan. We are trying to determine whether or not more restrictions should be placed on their random -- aka /b/ -- forum. According to 4chan, this forum has “no rules” except for bans which are implemented site wide; these include any infringements on United States law, being under 18 years of age and calling for “invasions” of any kind. However, racist, hateful speech; grotesque, shock images and hurtful trolling is allowed and sometimes encouraged by the community. Should this ruling be changed?
Why we are interested in it: 4chan’s /b/ board is notorious for its invasions, attacks, and general tomfoolery both in virtual space and in reality. However, this image-board has also sparked creativity, activism, cooperation, and brotherhood within its community. Acts of Internet vigilantism, a topic in the grey-area, is also apparent within the board and has led the judicial system to the offenders
What should be done: Our group believes that this rule, “no rules”, ought to be kept the way it is because it promotes freedom of speech and expression, with the provision that it does not harm others. However, since 4chan operates anonymously, users may abuse this feature and cause harm to others without the fear of prosecution or retribution. Because of this, we propose that only posters in the /b/ forum be required to register thus removing the ability to post anonymously
Arguments to address this issue:
Many Internet users are no doubt disturbed by the actions taken by Anonymous. Here are a few examples:
- Oprah and her over 9000 penises incident.
- 4chan and other websites assaulted Hal Turner by launching DDos attacks and prank calling his phone-in radio show. The attacks caused Turner's website to go offline.
- 4chan tries sending Justin Bieber to North Korea.
- Steve Jobs’ cardiac arrest hoax caused Apple stock to plummet
- Habbo Hotel raid, where the virtual hotel was raided by Anonymous
Many in society, especially the targeted organizations, are calling for a complete shut down of 4chan because they believe it is responsible for reckless attacks on “innocent” people. They view the actions of 4chan as detrimental to society because they find no purpose in what they do. These critics can argue that they are acting in the interest of protecting others from unprovoked attacks. In addition, if other messages boards can operate successfully without the need for anonymous posters, why can’t 4chan?
However, there are those who waive off these incidents as harmless pranks, simply as a means for entertainment. A stronger proponent for the “no rules” /b/ forum would be Anonymous themselves. They see their existence as a source of vigilante justice. Examples of such are:
- Dusty the cat abuse incident. Anons from 4chan tracking down the poster of those videos and contacting the police to arrest the suspect
- High school bombing incident. A student posted images of pipe bombs and another of him holding them saying that he will blow up his high school. The users of 4chan tracked down the student and contacted local authorities.
- School shooting incident. 4chan provided the IP of the poster who claimed to shoot at St Eskils Gymnasium in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
- Major player in Project Chanology, an activist movement against the Church of Scientology through organized protests worldwide coupled with DoS attacks on Church websites
- 4chan as a centre of Internet memes and creativity
Supporters of the “no rule” forum can also argue that the anonymity gives a voice to those who are too afraid to speak; afraid to be judged on their opinion. Perhaps it can also be viewed as a way to fight back against larger corporations or governments whose policies are questionable when compared to the needs of the general public.
List of Potential Resources:
http://www.slate.com/id/2297492/
A description of 4chan by an author - gives a brief over view of history and current events of the board /b/.
http://torrentfreak.com/new-4chan-ddos-targets-hated-anti-piracy-law-firm-100922/More information about the DDos attack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7liYfhRgXGk&feature=player_embedded Oprah Winfrey and her over 9000 penis moment.
http://boingboing.net/2010/07/05/4chan-prank-means-ju.htmlExtra information regarding the prank pulled on Justin Bieber by 4chan.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2009/0220/1224241467858.htmlA blurb on the Dusty the cat abuse.
http://4chanarchive.org/brchive/dspl_thread.php5?thread_id=39168208Highschool bombing incident in more detail
http://www.thelocal.se/17354/20090204/Local news on school shooting
http://www.lisamcpherson.org/pc.htmWebsite detailing the Project Chanology social movement
http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/mac/210605645News article on the Steve Jobs cardiac arrest hoax
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