I never even heard of 4chan before I started posting on this site. The constantly referenced it, so I decided to see what it was all about. I went on /b/ and was immediatly annoyed and disgusted.
I forgot about 4chan for a long time. Months go by and I decide to check out some other forums. I try /v/, it was ok. I try /co/, it was fine, but I didn't know enough about comics, then I found /mu/ (the music forum).
Since then I have gotten a constant source of music suggestions, been introduced to new artists, and expanded my taste in general.
Now 4chan's community is mean, immature, and cruel, but they do know what they are talking about. If you can learn the lingo and pick up a thick skin, places like /mu/, /tv/, /v/, /a/, /ck/, /sp/ and so forth can be interesting places to talk to a like minded (and suprisingly intelligent) community.
4chan isn't a great place, but it is a unregulated mish mosh of like minded individuals. And if you can get past the racism, homophobia, and blatant ignorance you may be able to find something you like.
Anyone with similar thoughts?