47

Rules of the Internet

Part of a series on Anonymous. [View Related Memes]
[View Related Sub-memes]
92,957
0
18
40

Updated Feb 25, 2011 at 05:52PM UTC by AJ Mazur.
Added Dec 15, 2009 at 04:38AM UTC by Lolrus.

Status:
Confirmed
Year
2006
Origin
Anonymous
Tags
internet, 4chan, dramatica, catchphrase, irc, rule 34
Additional References
Encyclopedia Dramatica

About

Rules of the Internet is a list of protocols written by a group of Anons to serve as a guide for none other than the Anonymous. Essentially, it’s a summation of popular catchphrases and axioms commonly associated with 4chan. While some of the better-known rules are often referenced across image board communities, it’s also considered a forced meme by other Anons.



As archived on Encyclopedia Dramatica

The Beginning

The idea of making “rules of the internet” most likely originated from Anon-related conversations on IRC and later spread to relevant communities like 4chan and Encyclopedia Dramatica.

On November 25th 2006, an ED user Zen444 took a bold step forward for the lulz, when he created a new entry titled The 17 Original Rules of the Internet. In part because anarchy ran in the blood of Anons, such notion of “rules” sparked several rounds of debates and discussions in ED forum.

Evolution of Rules

Some Anons were quick to denounce rules-making as a childplay, but other users embraced the idea and began working on the official “unofficial rules of the Internet” through discussion forums outside of 4chan. By December 2006, a wiki project dedicated to the topic was up and running at rulesoftheinternet.com, courtesy of an Anon based in San Diego, CA.

The result of collaboration was a list of 47 rules on the Internet that are thought to be true, with the word “Internet” used in a highly subjective sense. On the main page of the site, it reads:

“This will set a Guideline how the Internet can be structured. Politicians can not set these rules, the internet is for the people by the people. It needs to be the people that set the rules.”
-rulesoftheinternet.com

*(Note: some prefer the current Dramatica entry page.)

Debates on Rules

The most “solid” rules are 1, 2, 30, and of course rule 34 in the fact that they vary the least from one draft to another.

Rule 1 & 2

However, the application of rules 1 and 2 are hotly contested. There are those who invoke rules 1 and 2 at any mention of 4chan and /b/ outside of 4chan. This is usually met with the response, “Rules 1 and 2 only apply to raids.”

There are also those who believe rules 1 & 2 are an explicit reference to a scene from the 2001 cult film Fight Club, in which Tyler Durden dictates eight rules of his club:

Rule number one. You don’t talk about Fight Club.
Rule number two. You DON’T talk about Fight Club.

With so many differing viewpoints from one Anon to next, it is not to be assumed that Anonymous subscribes to any set of rules whatsoever.

Moot’s Response on “Rules”

4chan founder M00T speaking on “rules” at the 2007 ROFLCON:

Popularity

By cross-comparing keyword searches for “the rules of the internet” vs. “rules 1 and 2” vs. “rule 34,” we can see that “rules 1 and 2” stand out as the most prominent bits of the list. Meanwhile, the second graph shows that “Rule 34” has evolved into an independent thing of its own.

Videos

There are no videos currently available.


Upload a Video

It may take a few minutes to collect stats and other information about your video.

Video URL

+ Add a Video

Images 18 total


Upload a Photo

From Your Computer

You may upload any JPEG, GIF, PNG only. By uploading this photo, you agree you have rights to distribute it.

From a URL

You may upload any JPEG, GIF, PNG only. By uploading this photo, you agree you have rights to distribute it.

+ Add an Image

+ Add an Image

Comments 40 total

1
ultratog1028

Feb 25, 2011 at 05:52PM UTC

@ Holly Oakhill: Rules 1 and 2 are for Raids. It would be like telling your target your base of operations.

ultratog1028

Feb 25, 2011 at 05:51PM UTC

rule 397: There are exceptions to every rule, except rules 1, 2, and 34. No Exceptions.

Holly Oakhill

Dec 10, 2010 at 11:14PM UTC

I live by most of the rules (especially 14), but I don’t get rule 1 and 2… I mean, like, most of the meme’s today comes from /b/, but if we’re not supposed to talk about it, how did the meme’s evolve? I know, my thinking may be stupid (I am still a hopeless newfag), but I find those rules unnessesary.

A friend of mine almost ragequitted on me after I sent him a picture that I found on /b/, but originally came from FAILblog, and he told me to delete my background picture that I got from Google which accidentally to be on /b/.
THAT. is just lame.

Patrick

Nov 27, 2010 at 05:33AM UTC

only a couple stay the same… I wonder if we’ll ever really have an actual (set in stone) set of rules…

Ivo Robotnik

Oct 20, 2010 at 01:38AM UTC

lol at the chart comparing the search rates of rules 1 and 2,rules of the internet,and rule 34

jp15151

Oct 17, 2010 at 10:30PM UTC

rule 66= the cake is a lie

samaxe123

Oct 08, 2010 at 10:56PM UTC

wtf FUCKING FAGGOT

blake

Sep 22, 2010 at 03:53PM UTC

+1. Every geek lives by this.

SEMEMWTF

Aug 30, 2010 at 07:46PM UTC

i live by rule 14 :D 4CHAN FTW!

ryhogon

Aug 25, 2010 at 12:40AM UTC

+1

One of the most important memes.

Sh1ft_One

Aug 01, 2010 at 06:48PM UTC

the guy shouting newfag= newfag trying to be an oldfag, goddamn newfags ¬.¬
also, desudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesudesu~

Dr. Phil

Jul 20, 2010 at 01:26AM UTC

the rule 29 and 30 is my favorite and i aplly this rule evry day

jacknameless

Jun 28, 2010 at 06:00AM UTC

Awesome, awesome photo for the article.

Fluffy, the Destroyer of Worlds

May 20, 2010 at 01:55PM UTC

I found my copy of the rule book on befgir.com, in the wallpapers page.
This is the one I have adopted due to the fact that it is one of my wallpapers.
I think that rule 33 is the one I follow most (after 34)

MusicMaker113

Mar 07, 2010 at 04:44AM UTC

@VEEDD

“what happens on /b/ stays on /b/”?

how do you explain this website?

nonda

Feb 21, 2010 at 08:45PM UTC

Respect the rulez!

juan carlos |)|_|\/|

Feb 16, 2010 at 01:54AM UTC

rule 48:
if something happened, then THAT JUST HAPPENED.

blue hair

Feb 14, 2010 at 10:18PM UTC

im breaking rule number 37

ScorpiaJr

Feb 14, 2010 at 08:38PM UTC

This site is breaking rule 1 and 2…

/b/=eddy

Feb 12, 2010 at 05:30AM UTC

rules 1, 2 and 34 are the most impotent rules

caleb sowders

Feb 04, 2010 at 06:05PM UTC

acknowledge the rules trust me /b/ shall anally raep you otherwise. this is legit

Antonio Marrero

Feb 03, 2010 at 03:01AM UTC

I’d say rule 63 is pretty popular, too, and thanks to rule 34, rule 35 can continue to exists.
+1 for acknowledge the rest of the rules, anyway.

Lolrus

Jan 29, 2010 at 04:38AM UTC

Confirm’d! Wooooooo! Runs around screaming and pumping fists.

VEEDD

Jan 28, 2010 at 09:52PM UTC

This is stupid and not a meme at all. These are the rules of 4chan, and what happens on /b/ stays on /b/.

+ Add a Comment

Add a Comment


Know Your Meme Latest Info

Sup! You must login or signup first!