Misogyny, antagonism, regressivism. A nexus analysis of a hostile online environment
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
LO124 Areena, Linnanmaa campus
Topic of the dissertation
Misogyny, antagonism, regressivism. A nexus analysis of a hostile online environment
Doctoral candidate
Master of Arts Matti Nikkilä
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Literature
Subject of study
English
Opponent
Docent Samu Kytölä, University of Jyväskylä
Custos
Professor Tiina Keisanen, University of Oulu
Misogyny, antagonism and regressivism in an online environment
This dissertation investigates online culture of image boards such as 4chan and their culture of subversion. In literature, the image boards have been considered platforms that have cultivated reactionary digital communities.
This thesis discusses subversion, the central cycle of discourse in image board communities, through the GamerGate controversy and the far right QAnon conspiracy theory. GamerGate emerged in online platforms in 2014 and was widely regarded as a misogynist harassment campaign. Emerging in 2017, QAnon mixed among others a scare of paedophilia and satanic worship as well as an unspecified tunnel warfare into its concoction. Originally the image boards could be seen as subcultural spaces often driven by humour and memes. Today, the boards have evolved into nexuses full of reactionary and exclusionary politics. The anonymity and ephemeral nature of image boards often result in rapidly developing hostility.
On the other hand, the boards’ nature also give the users means to avoid being held accountable for their actions. Shared language, memes and performative antagonism are central features on image boards. They are also used in establishing group identities and, as the thesis demonstrates, these features were also present during GamerGate.
Image boards are often brought up when public debate turns to discussing digital subcultures and online radicalization. By increasing understanding of these issues, this dissertation also makes a contribution to popular discourse.
The study uses mediated discourse analysis and nexus analysis as theoretical and methodological frameworks for studying online communities. A central contribution of this research is to develop the discussion of the concept of silent participation (commonly referred to as “lurking”). Silent participation is presented as a valid and sometimes ethically necessary way of existing online and conducting ethnographic research. The benefits of silent participation emerge especially when a researcher is conducting research in hostile communities – in aggressive digital environments silent participation can even be ethically necessary.
This thesis discusses subversion, the central cycle of discourse in image board communities, through the GamerGate controversy and the far right QAnon conspiracy theory. GamerGate emerged in online platforms in 2014 and was widely regarded as a misogynist harassment campaign. Emerging in 2017, QAnon mixed among others a scare of paedophilia and satanic worship as well as an unspecified tunnel warfare into its concoction. Originally the image boards could be seen as subcultural spaces often driven by humour and memes. Today, the boards have evolved into nexuses full of reactionary and exclusionary politics. The anonymity and ephemeral nature of image boards often result in rapidly developing hostility.
On the other hand, the boards’ nature also give the users means to avoid being held accountable for their actions. Shared language, memes and performative antagonism are central features on image boards. They are also used in establishing group identities and, as the thesis demonstrates, these features were also present during GamerGate.
Image boards are often brought up when public debate turns to discussing digital subcultures and online radicalization. By increasing understanding of these issues, this dissertation also makes a contribution to popular discourse.
The study uses mediated discourse analysis and nexus analysis as theoretical and methodological frameworks for studying online communities. A central contribution of this research is to develop the discussion of the concept of silent participation (commonly referred to as “lurking”). Silent participation is presented as a valid and sometimes ethically necessary way of existing online and conducting ethnographic research. The benefits of silent participation emerge especially when a researcher is conducting research in hostile communities – in aggressive digital environments silent participation can even be ethically necessary.
Last updated: 8.10.2025