Something Awful founder Richard Kyanka dies at 45 | Engadget

One of the extra influential figures of the turn-of-the-millennium web has died. According to Kotaku, former Something Awful discussion board moderator Fragmaster has revealed that website founder Richard “Lowtax” Kyanka has died at 45. Fragmaster did not ask for particulars surrounding the demise, however Kyanka’s second spouse later said the creator dedicated suicide.

“Lowtax” launched Something Awful in 1999. It’s a mixture of weblog posts (together with comedy and opinions), but it surely’s greatest identified for boards that had an outsized impression on web tradition. It spawned well-known moments just like the Zero Wing “all your base” meme and Slender Man, and performed an vital function in EVE Online’s progress (SA‘s fleet, Goonsquad, has participated in defining battles). It even not directly fostered 4chan — Chris “Moot” Poole plugged 4chan on SA and was inundated with cat photographs, together with the legendary “I can haz cheezburger.”

Kyanka’s final years have been problematic. He was accused of home violence in 2020, and bought the positioning to administrator Jeffrey of YOSPOS in October that 12 months. Jeffrey would go on to ban Kyanka from his personal website in March 2021. However, there’s little doubt that Kyanka’s best-known challenge had a major impact that can final for years to come back.

In the U.S., the quantity for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Text Line may be reached by texting HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK).

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