4chan's /b/ and the Formation of Anonymous Culture (2003–2010)

1. 4chan launches with /b/ as founding board

   Oct 1, 2003Labels: 4chan, b, Christopher Poole

   • 4chan
   • b

2. Anonymous identity forms around default nameless posting

   Nov 1, 2003Labels: Anonymous, b

   • Anonymous
   • 4chan

3. Forced-Anonymous posting reinforces collective voice

   Jan 1, 2004Labels: Forced Anon, b

   • Anonymous
   • Anonymous KYM

4. Encyclopedia Dramatica launches as a troll archive

   Dec 10, 2004Labels: Encyclopedia Dramatica, ED

   • ED

5. “Duckrolling” emerges from 4chan word-filter prank

   Jan 1, 2006Labels: Duckrolling, 4chan

   • Rickrolling
   • Wordorigins

6. “Lolcat” and Caturday culture take recognizable form

   Jun 1, 2006Labels: Lolcat, Caturday

   • Lolcat
   • Caturday

7. Habbo Hotel raid popularizes “raiding” playbook

   Jul 6, 2006Labels: Habbo Hotel, b

   • Pools Closed
   • Anonymous

8. Rickrolling breaks out from 4chan to the wider web

   May 15, 2007Labels: Rickrolling, 4chan

   • Rickrolling
   • Wordorigins

9. Tom Cruise Scientology video triggers backlash planning

   Jan 15, 2008Labels: Tom Cruise, Church of

   • Gawker
   • Chanology

10. “Message to Scientology” launches Project Chanology publicly

    Jan 21, 2008Labels: Project Chanology, Anonymous

    • Chanology
    • Case Study

11. Project Chanology shifts from online disruption to street protests

    Feb 10, 2008Labels: Project Chanology, street protests

    • Chanology
    • KYM Chanology

12. Anonymous origin story consolidates around 4chan /b/

    Jan 1, 2009Labels: Anonymous origin, 4chan b

    • Anonymous
    • 4chan

13. Operation Payback begins, extending Anonymous beyond /b/

    Sep 1, 2010Labels: Operation Payback, Anonymous

    • Payback
    • LOIC