The Rise of the Hacker

[GreyGeek]

Excellent episode of NOVA
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/ri...e-hackers.html

"You can't trust any device..."

[InsideJob]

George Orwell was an optimist. The people who coined the word have no control over it. The authorities have officially redefined night to be day and we're all mandated to believe it. There can be no more debate over the meaning of the word hacker.

http://tmrc.mit.edu/hackers-ref.html

We at TMRC use the term "hacker" only in its original meaning, someone who applies ingenuity to create a clever result, called a "hack". The essence of a "hack" is that it is done quickly, and is usually inelegant. It accomplishes the desired goal without changing the design of the system it is embedded in. Despite often being at odds with the design of the larger system, a hack is generally quite clever and effective.

This original benevolent meaning stands in stark contrast to the later and more commonly used meaning of a "hacker", typically as a person who breaks into computer networks in order to steal or vandalize. Here at TMRC, where the words "hack" and "hacker" originated and have been used proudly since the late 1950s, we resent the misapplication of the word to mean the committing of illegal acts. People who do those things are better described by expressions such as "thieves", "password crackers". or "computer vandals". They are certainly not true hackers, as they do not understand the hacker ethic.

[SteveRiley]

I prefer the words attacker or criminal, because that's what these people are.

[InsideJob]

I'd call them heroes for promoting the free exchange of information in the face of fascists who want to make everything the intellectual property of their corporation. They're probably keeping the cure for AIDS from us so the pharma industry call sell the remaining stock of drugs they have. I'm sure Hepatitis-C would have been cured years sooner in a free society anyways. That's free as in freedom, not beer.

I have to admit I didn't even watch the video though, since it comes off television. That's not a reliable source of information like the Interwebzes. LOL

[SteveRiley]

I can't tell if you're trolling or serious. But if you think people who perform attacks like identity theft (impersonation) and industrial espionage (spying) are heroes, then you have a sorely misguided sense of morality. Oh, wait, you didn't watch the video -- which means you can't possibly have an informed opinion on the topic of discussion here.

[InsideJob]

I must be a troll because I'm not stoopid (i can't even spell it) enough to believe the boolshiat I'm being fed by the authorities. To summarize: Hackers are good people. The government is run by liars, thieves and murders. And you're being brainwashed by the TV.

9-11 was an inside job. That's a scientific FACT http://www.ae911truth.org/ not a crazy al-Qaeda conspiracy theory.

[oshunluvr]

Hey, maybe you ARE a troll. Or maybe you're being brainwashed by the AE911 crackpots...

http://www.checktheevidence.co.uk/cms/index.php? option=com_content&task=view&id=329&Itemid=60
http://www.checktheevidence.co.uk/cm...=340&Itemid=60
http://www.checktheevidence.co.uk/cm...=367&Itemid=60
http://tinyurl.com/911ftb

[GreyGeek]

Wow! Just maybe, perhaps, probably it might be possible that day is night because ancient alien astronauts reversed the polarity of the Sun while using anti-grav devices to help the Egyptians build the pyramids, using diamond coated chain saws to cut the stone, of course.
(This is fun!)

[life0riley]

Wow! Just maybe, perhaps, probably it might be possible that day is night because ancient alien astronauts reversed the polarity of the Sun while using anti-grav devices to help the Egyptians build the pyramids, using diamond coated chain saws to cut the stone, of course.
(This is fun!)

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