We then analyze the content posted to /pol/ with a focus on determining topics of interest and types of media shared, as well as the usage of hate speech and differences in poster demographics. We additionally provide quantitative evidence of /pol/’s collective attacks on other social media platforms.
I think that this part shows a split between two ways of conceptualizing /pol/. The former acknowledges that content is posted to /pol/ by anonymous users, but the latter and subsequent bits frame it as if these people act on behalf of 4chan itself, which seems to not be the case. For example, if I were a malicious actor on the net, I think it would be a stretch to say that I speak or act on behalf of bOING bOING simply because I post here.
This seems to tie into emerging “norms” with regards to network space as public forum. People worry on the one hand about the lack of truly public space serving to marginalize criticism and strengthen the interests of corporate owners, while yet still putting the onus upon sites to curate and moderate the discourse which occurs there. I think that both approaches disempower people because they shift the responsibility for individual’s speech to those who host them.
