In late April 2025, 4chan experienced a significant data breach nicknamed "Sharty" involving the leak of emails belonging to Hiroyuki Nishimura (moot), the site's founder, and other 4chan janitors (moderators). The leaked emails contained personal information, private discussions, and internal 4chan communications. While the exact extent and impact of the breach remained unclear, it fueled speculation and discussion within the 4chan community and beyond regarding the site's security practices and the privacy of its users. The hack also resulted in various memes and jokes related to the leaked content, particularly targeting moot and the janitors' perceived incompetence.
This project presents a live, constantly updating version of the "What a week, huh?" meme. The website displays the phrase "What a week, huh?" followed by the current date and time, acknowledging the ever-changing and often chaotic nature of current events. The time updates dynamically, emphasizing the relentless passage of time and the continuous influx of new happenings. It's a simple yet effective way to capture the feeling of living in a perpetually eventful world.
Hacker News users generally enjoyed the "live-updating" What a Week, Huh? meme, praising its simplicity and effectiveness. Some appreciated the clean design and the way it captured the relentless news cycle. A few commenters suggested improvements like adding a date range selector or the ability to filter by specific categories. Others pointed out the technical aspects, discussing the use of setInterval and potential optimizations. One user humorously noted the meta-nature of the project, as it itself becomes another item adding to the ever-growing list of weekly news events. Several commenters shared similar "doomscrolling" type projects and resources.
Summary of Comments ( 813 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43691334
Hacker News users discuss the plausibility of the "sharty hack" and leaked janitor emails, with skepticism being the dominant sentiment. Several commenters point out inconsistencies and improbabilities within the narrative, like the janitor's unusual email address format and the lack of corroborating evidence. The overall consensus leans towards the story being a fabrication, possibly an elaborate troll or creative writing exercise. Some users express amusement at the absurdity of the situation, while others criticize Know Your Meme for giving attention to such easily debunked stories. A few commenters suggest potential motivations for the hoax, including a desire to generate chaos or simply for entertainment.
The Hacker News post titled "4chan Sharty Hack And Janitor Email Leak" linking to the Know Your Meme article has generated several comments discussing the incident and its implications.
Several commenters express skepticism about the veracity of the leaked emails, pointing out the lack of concrete evidence and the potential for fabrication. One commenter questions the authenticity, stating it "sounds like a larp," using internet slang for a live-action role-playing game, implying it's a fictional narrative presented as reality. This sentiment is echoed by others who find the story unbelievable and too neatly packaged. The commenters highlight the absence of corroborating evidence from sources outside 4chan, further fueling their doubts.
The discussion also touches on the nature of 4chan and its culture. One commenter mentions the site's history of elaborate pranks and hoaxes, suggesting this incident could be another example. Another points to the inherent difficulty of verifying information originating from 4chan due to its anonymous nature and fast-paced, chaotic environment. They emphasize the importance of treating such information with caution, particularly given the lack of independent verification.
Some comments delve into the technical aspects of the alleged hack. One commenter questions the plausibility of accessing email archives through the described method, implying it seems technically improbable. Another speculates on potential vulnerabilities and methods the hackers might have exploited, but acknowledges the lack of technical details available to confirm the claims.
Furthermore, some users comment on the humor and absurdity of the situation. They find the narrative, regardless of its truthfulness, entertaining and fitting within the context of 4chan's often bizarre and outrageous culture. The term "sharty" itself is highlighted as amusing and contributing to the overall comedic value of the incident. Some users also note the irony of the alleged hackers' apparent motivation – exposing the perceived hypocrisy of 4chan's moderation policies – while simultaneously engaging in disruptive behavior.
Finally, a few comments express concern about the potential consequences for 4chan, including legal ramifications and damage to its reputation. However, these comments are generally overshadowed by the prevailing skepticism and amusement regarding the incident. The overall tone of the comments section is one of cautious disbelief mixed with a degree of amusement, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the claims and the inherent strangeness of the situation.