4chan

4chan is an English-language imageboard founded in 2003 by Christopher Poole, known online as moot. It comprises many boards where users can post images and text without registering. Posts are typically anonymous, identified only by a post number and timestamp.

Originally modeled on Japanese imageboard culture (notably 2chan), 4chan began with anime and manga discussions and quickly expanded to topics such as technology, video games, and politics. Each board has its own moderators and rules, while the site maintains general guidelines. The lack of user accounts and the ease of posting encourage rapid conversation and meme production.

Key features include the OP (original post), threads that are often ephemeral, and conventions such as 'sage' to avoid bumping threads. The site is known for a fast, loosely moderated environment that has helped spawn a large portion of internet meme culture and online subcultures.

4chan has influenced online activism and culture, most notably as the origin of the Anonymous collective and events like Project Chanology. It has also been associated with controversy, including harassment and doxxing, drawing scrutiny from researchers, media, and policymakers. The site also hosts content that requires moderation due to illegal material and child protection policies.

Today, 4chan remains active and accessible at 4chan.org, with boards such as /b/ (random), /pol/ (politics), /g/ (technology), and /v/ (video games). It embodies a tension between creative experimentation and harmful behavior that continues to shape discussions of anonymity online.