xplosive59 said:
I go on /mu/, people actually know shit about music and give good recommendations.
I go on /a/, pretty much everyone has seen enough to have a valid opinion and know alot about the medium.
I go on /tv/, people discuss new films and old as well as art films and blockbusters.
Face it, once you get past the hate and cynicism the people on 4chan are very knowledgeable about what they are interested in. If you go to the relevant board with entry level taste or try to get along with people who know their shit when you yourself don't you will get shot down.
There is also no place but 4chan where I can mention a band such as Fushitsusha and not expect them not to be known.
That being said there alot of people who don't know what they are talking about and get shot dwn immediately most of the time.
Pretty much this.
The thing that most people fail to realize, is that most internet communities are the same. They are full of incessant disgusting assholes but also knowledgeable people. Regardless you can have a discussion provided there are enough people around to talk about it (without being assholes).
See also: TV Tropes, reddit, neogaf, SomethingAwful, and the Escapist.
The only reason I don't go to /a/ as often is cause I get overwhelmed with the amount of threads that I open.
And as a side-topic, worst board? (not counting /b/)