Imageboards are types of online forums that primarily focus on the sharing and discussion of images, rather than text. These platforms often consist of a variety of different thematic “boards” related to specific topics, from video games and music to politics and hobbies.

Origins The concept of the imageboard originated in Japan, with the most prominent early example being “2channel” (2ちゃんねる or 2ch for short), founded in 1999. Later on, inspired by 2channel, “Futaba Channel” (双葉ちゃんねる or 2chan for short) came into existence, laying the groundwork for the format that would become popular globally.

• 4chan Chronicle (Wikibooks)

Impact

Imageboards have had a significant impact on internet culture, particularly in the context of meme generation and propagation. The anonymity often associated with these platforms has fostered a unique culture where users are free to experiment with new ideas and humor without the constraints of identity.

Websites like 4chan, arguably the most well-known imageboard outside of Japan, became hotbeds for meme creation. Memes like “Pepe the Frog,” “Wojak,” and various other internet phenomena often trace their origins or significant development to imageboards.

Controversies

While imageboards have contributed positively to internet culture in terms of humor and creativity, they've also been linked to various controversies. The lack of user registration and ephemeral nature of posts can lead to uninhibited discussions, sometimes resulting in the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, or other harmful online behaviors.

List of Imageboards

https://allchans.org/ - Imageboard Aggregrator (Proceed with caution if you don't know what you're doing)

• 4chan
• Endchan
• Infinite Chan
• Lainchan
• Wiredchan
• Fringechan
• Nanochan (tor)
• crystal.cafe (for girls only)
• 2chen