My first visit in 4chan- the world's largest trolling site

Since trolling is my topic, why not go for a place actually built for trolling? It's called 4chan. I have known it for years now, but I did not have the urge to visit it... until now.

I was surprised when I first entered the site. I was actually expecting a meme site, like 9gag, but it's more of a universal site for nerds. I don't if it's just me, but the association of "nerddom" and Japanese manga/anime intrigues me. Anyway, the site's main page looks cheap to be honest.

Oh, and what a unique topic selection! Typical nerds. But I'm here not to make fun of people, but to investigate.

I tried to go to the Social section. Then a notice box appears, warning viewers about mature content. I guess it's really that serious. Their content can't be really that fowl, right?

It really is THAT fowl. In my opinion, every single post just screams trolling. Since users can do everything anonymously with a very liberal website moderation, so people here have a unique way in socializing publicly. Well, it's not really that bad, but everything changes when I got into the notorious "/b" or Random section.

Since this is an academic blog, I can't post any obscene pics- that's what /b/ is all about, yet it's the most popular section in the site. It's like a huge pile of disgusting fantasies and, yes, anime is included. Not much else to say, but it's a place for bored people to enjoy the fruits of the internet.

Moving on, I tried to construct a post myself. It sould be noted that you have the choice to include your email or not, meaning everyone has the choice to be anonymous.

Problem is that it always gives me an error message although it might just be a problem with uploading an image.

So far, there is really nothing suspicious. The point is- 4chan is a public site for casual trolling. Even if Wikipedia suggests some violators have cause controversy and media frenzy, much of those cases are rare and were pretty much already resolved, thanks to the implementation of stricter rules.

But not everything in 4chan is bad, there are really worthwhile sections, such as Photography, Food & Cooking, Advice, Sports and many more. Let's say it's similar to PinoyExchange, only with a global internet culture and with more free policies.

This investigation may have failed to get hard-cold evidence, but my first visit proves that the possibility of controversial trolling is always at the corner. I may need to focus on chatting with actual members of Anonymous next time, or let's say, make mini-experiments.

 

Pic above shows the creator of 4chan, 

Christopher Pools or his pseudonym, moot. 

May God bless this man.