TheProposal

__ The Myth __ The 4chan community runs of the basis of anonymity. Majority of 4chan's users choose to remain anonymous within its message boards. However, 4chan has been accused of being a negative community due to the general content and feedback that is generated from its users. 4chan also has a reputation of harboring inappropriate content and the users have been accused of being hateful and resentful. The general consensus made by most 4chan visitors is that the community is not a positive one.

Therefore, **the myth that is highlighted is that the anonymity of 4chan users liberates them to speak their mind freely.** Anonymity makes 4chan and open space due to the lack of user names, allowing anyone to post and view content to their disclosure. This attribute takes attention away from the user's identity and rather focuses more on what is being said.

Others myths that govern 4chan include that it has also been credited as an online hub for viral activity. Collectively, enough users can contribute to the creation of online fads that can spread to not online other online communities, but mass media as well. The 4chan community has gained notoriety through the wide spread usage of memes.

__ The Message __ The main message that this multimedia project will convey is the effect anonymity can have on users posting online. Through a lack of identity, users may feel less self-restraint due to the fact that accountability rarely exists in this environment. As a result, posting habits may be modified to reflect this.

This will be framed using 4chan as its prime community example. The project will also document the website's history and highlight some of its key events. By analyzing these, viewers can see why the website has gained such notoriety as well as more positive moments that are often overlooked by the media.

__ The Audience __ The multimedia document will target those curious about online communities and how their users interact within a certain context. It will also target anyone who is interested in the mythic infrastructure of 4chan and topics that have made it such a notorious website.

__ The Scope __ The multimedia document will analyze the general activities of 4chan. The basis of the project will revolve around researched based on the subject. Examples and excerpts will be gathered from the message board itself as well as other websites that archive its history. Through this the project will be able to highlight the factors that have made 4chan popular as well as what differentiates it from other social websites.

__ The Potential Tools __ The multimedia project will contain the following deliverables: · Wikispace · Design Document
 * · Interactive PDF **

The first tool this assignment is utilizing is **a digital PDF.** Acting as a virtual brochure, a PDF allows readers to explore the topic through interaction. Examples can be presented through interactive elements, pictures and videos all embedded within the file. Through the use of page linking and buttons, a digital PDF will also allow for simulated scenarios of some of the website mechanics being discussed.

A Wikispace acts as a collaborative document that can be edited by the members as the project progresses. All the elements of the assignment can be found within the Wiki Space from the proposal to the finalized design document. These can also be downloaded in .doc form as well as the PDF itself.

The Design Document will discuss the overall process taken to complete the assignment. Here material gathered from class will be applied to the multimedia aspect and discussed here as well.

__ The Group Members & Roles __

Jaren Fabroa · Interactive PDF development · Wikispace maintenance · Collaborate on Design Document · Editing

Melissa Gonsalves · Interactive PDF design · Wikispace development · Collaborate on Design Document · Publishing

__ Initial Sources __ The following has been used during the initial research stages. The first two act as the primary subject as well as documentation of its more key events respectively. The third is an example of the subject discussed in a mass media news outlet. The rest are journal entries that discuss the effect anonymity may have during online communication.

[|http://www.4chan.org]

[|http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com]

Sauthoff, Taryn. "4Chan: The Rude, Raunchy Underbelly of the Internet." FoxNews.com, 4 Apr. 2009. Web. <[]>.

Lea, Martin, Russell Spears, and Susan Watt. "Visibility and Anonymity Effects on Attraction and Group Cohesiveness." //European Journal of Social Psychology// 37.4 (2007): 761-73. Print.

Yu, Fu-Yun, Chialing Han, and Tak-Wai Chan. "Experimental Comparisons of Face-to-face and Anonymous Real-time Team Competition in a Networked Gaming Learning Environment." //Cyberpsychology & Behavior// 11.4 (2008): 511-14. Print.

Christopherson, Kimberly. "The Positive and Negative Implications of Anonymity in Internet Social Interactions: 'On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Dog'" //Computers in Human Behavior// 23.6 (2007): 3038-056. Print.