4chan Creator Christopher "moot" Poole Has Joined Google

It’s been over a year since Christopher “moot” Poole stepped down from his executive position as CEO of 4chan — the infamously controversial anonymous image-board Poole created 12 years ago — before he sold the site to 2channel, the forum’s Japanese precursor. Now it appears as if moot has definitively sold out, as the web pioneer recently revealed that he would be joining Google in an as-yet undisclosed position:

Today I’m excited to announce that I’ve joined Google.

When meeting with current and former Googlers, I continually find myself drawn to their intelligence, passion, and enthusiasm — as well as a universal desire to share it with others. I’m also impressed by Google’s commitment to enabling these same talented people to tackle some of the world’s most interesting and important problems.

I can’t wait to contribute my own experience from a dozen years of building online communities, and to begin the next chapter of my career at such an incredible company.

The fact that moot cites his experience “building online communities” has led much of the Internet Hivemind to the conclusion that he will be joining the Google team. It should be noted, however, that many were unsure if the announcement and the move were sincere at all, given Anonymous’ propensity for elaborate pranks. But it appears as if the announcement has been confirmed by Google VP Bradley Horowitz:

You may have seen the news (https://t.co/jwjOBocqJk) from @moot. Thrilled he’s joining the team! Welcome Chris!

— Bradley Horowitz (@elatable) March 7, 2016

Only time will tell what sorts of innovative and subversive shenanigans, if any, we should expect from the presumably newly-reformed moot.