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Was the 4chan hack a good thing for the internet?

New York Times tech reporter Mike Isaac and internet culture critic Rayne Fisher-Quann look back on the platform’s controversial legacy, and whether losing it is actually a good thing for internet culture.

New York Times tech reporter Mike Isaac and internet culture critic Rayne Fisher-Quann discuss 4chan's legacy

CBC Arts ·
In this photo illustration the Social networking site Facebook is displayed on a laptop screen on March 25, 2009 in London, England.
In this photo illustration the Social networking site Facebook is displayed on a laptop screen on March 25, 2009 in London, England. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The notorious imageboard forum 4chan was recently hacked in a major way — and for a moment, people thought it might be gone forever.

The site launched in 2003, and it gained popularity in part because users didn't have to provide a name in order to post.

Its unique sort of influence over internet culture is varied and far-reaching. For instance, the vigilante hackers Anonymous came from 4chan, and many of the internet's most beloved memes have been spawned there. However, a lot of online misogyny has its roots in 4chan, too.

Today on Commotion, New York Times tech reporter Mike Isaac and culture critic Rayne Fisher-Quann join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to look back on the platform's controversial legacy, as well as consider its uncertain future and whether losing it is actually a good thing for the internet.

WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube:

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Panel produced by Ty Callender.

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