[sp332]

The conversation is “raw” to say the least—almost everyone checks their filter at the door. The resulting dialogue is about as honest as it gets. In lieu of traditional barriers to membership, the community uses cryptic and crude language to regulate who can and cannot participate. On the surface this may seem offensive, but it’s often meant to do little more than keep newcomers on their toes and encourage they lurk and learn the house rules before participating.

How can you have honest, unfiltered dialogue when there are barriers to entry and membership is regulated?

Hey moot, why are YouTube comments so bad? Clearly it's not just anonymity.

[bsamuels]

youtube comments are bad because there's no barrier to entry.

with 4chan you have to get over the social impact of actually browsing 4chan. Just go look at the 4chan subreddit, it's filled to the brink with people who want to consume 4chan content but are too scared to actually visit the site.

[timpattinson]

Youtube comments are terrible because it's the lowest common denominator of internet message boards. More sophisticated use Reddit/HN/etc.