Image via Complex Original
Of all the words used to describe the online imageboard 4chan—web mauraders, online anarchists, Internet jihadists, etc—"good" is typically not one of them. Over the course of the site's nearly 10 year history, it has become best known for its highly publicized terror campaigns and affinity for NSFW content. But even so-called e-villians have a heart. Here, we present 7 Ways 4chan Has Helped the World. May Internet goodness abound.
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Sends Well Wishes To A 90-Year-Old WWII Vet On His Birthday
After a 4chan user spotted a flyer in a local grocery store for 90-year-old WWII veteran William J. Lashua, he posted it to the site and users immediately rallied behind Lashua. The online community, often criticized for being terror-driven Internet crusaders, sent a multitude of cards and presents to the American Legion Hall in Massachusetts, where the party was hosted. And even though Lashua had plenty of family come out to celebrate his big day (as noted by his grandson on a Reddit message board, the kind act did not go unnoticed.
Hacking Sarah Palin's Email Account
That smudge in American political history known as Sarah Palin, the crazy-eyed Alaskan who was Senator John McCain's running mate in the 2008 presidential election, had her email hacked by 20-year-old college student David Kernell, who posted about his successful hack on 4chan. And though email hacking is wrong altogether, karma has a funny way of coming back around, especially after all the utter foolishness she put the American people through in 2008.
Tried To Get Taylor Swift To Perform At A School for Deaf Children
In August 2012 4chan rallied to support an online competition where the winning school would be rewarded with $10,000 for its music program as well as a performance by pop star Taylor Swift. Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which is one of the oldest public schools in the US, was eventually disqualified from the competition because of 4chan's efforts, but the school did get a very cool consolation prize: $50,000 personally donated by Swift and four companies.
Exposing A Cat Abuser
After 50-year-old UK resident Mary Bale threw a cat in the dumpster for no apparent reason, 4chan was instrumental in tracking Bale down and making sure justice was served. As reported by Gawker:
The subsequent assault on Mary Bale resembled /b/'s harassment of 11-year-old viral video star Jessi Slaughter. They found Bale's employer (The Bank of Coventry), the number of her boss, her address and Facebook profile. As with Jessi Slaughter, they sent death threats and other anonymous mischief her way and Bale was eventually forced into hiding. Except, of course, the moral calculus involved is a bit different here. Can we really feel bad for a woman who would throw away a cat, then say, after she's been busted, "I don't know what the fuss is about. It's just a cat."? Thanks to 4chan, she's being investigated, and has issued an apology.
Internet mob justice isn't always pretty. But it is justice, nonetheless.
Tried To Get Lil B To Perform At The Grammys
Despite what 4chan members say (check out the comments), we actually love the idea of Lil B performing at the Grammys. It's about time the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences recognized the cultural and musical significance of the Based God.
Trolling Scientology
Project Chanology, a protest movement against the Church of Scientology by the members of Anonymous, was formed by 4chan and 711chan users. The movement came about after COS attempted to remove an interview with Tom Cruise, perhaps the church's most well-known member, from the web. What followed was a barrage of methods to unsettle COS. The movement eventually took on a more nonviolent and strategic approach, but Anonymous proved that even a deranged celebrity spouting crazy talk about the so-called good of Scientology is not above a little Hacktivism.
Helped Track Down A Crazed Puppy Abuser
Watch the video and try not to feel empathy for the puppies as a crazed Bosnian girl hurls them into the river. Think what you will of 4chan's online terror campaigns, but the e-community was able to help track down this dog-hating lunatic. In the end, the teen girl had to pay a $6,400 fine for animal cruelty.
