Christopher Poole, better known as his Internet pseudonym “moot,” has announced that he will step down as administrator of the popular yet controversial image board 4chan.

4chan was developed by Poole and released in 2003 as an attempt to emulate Japanese websites which allowed users to share and download images. Originally designed as a place for Poole and his friends to discuss Japanese culture and anime, 4chan has grown wildly in scope during its almost 12 years of operation. Today, a variety of topics have their own section on 4chan, including sports, origami, 3-D art, literature and many more.

Poole’s concept proved innovative as it allowed users to post anonymously rather than creating an account. Unlike most online forums or communities, users on 4chan communicate without an identity that can be easily traced back to them. The result is a fertile yet unpredictable platform for “Internet culture” which encourages users to debate or lampoon each other without threat of consequence.

Though the term “meme” has steadily crept into mainstream culture, many would argue that the phrase first gained traction on 4chan. Typically, a meme can be defined as a humorous image, often with overlaid text, that is transmittable and modifiable. However, a meme can be a viral video, a memorable post on 4chan, or even a still frame from a popular film. Rather than simply sharing static images, 4chan thrives on abstract collaboration between users that enhances and proliferates amusing content.

Predictably, some people use the guise of anonymity to conduct illegal activity on 4chan. Adult themed sections of the website are known as havens for “revenge porn,” grotesquely violent images known as “gore,” and videos depicting animal cruelty. Though Poole and his moderators enforce strict rules and guidelines in response to illegal activity, the anonymous nature of 4chan makes it attractive to people seeking illicit content.

The users of 4chan have also made their distinct voice heard outside of the Internet with various pranks and political statements. The radical “hacker group Anonymous,” which was founded on 4chan, has gained infamy for protests against The Church of Scientology.

Poole alluded to the stress of servicing such a rambunctious community of millions while detailing his decision to leave 4chan. He described himself as a “signal point of failure” when it came to making decisions about the future of the website he created as a teenager. Despite describing his experience as “marked by highs and lows, surprises and disappointments” Poole claimed he leaves the notorious 4chan feeling “immense satisfaction.”