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First, let's get one thing straight: Hackers are not criminals.
- Hackers are talented, curious, and tenacious
- Many of the world's greatest historical figures
were clearly hackers:
- Mozart (hacked sound);
- Freud (hacked consciousness, or tried to);
- Edison (hacked everything);
- Einstein (hacked reality)
- ...and many others, known and unknown
- Computer hackers, which interest us today, are able to
control computers in ways that are different or perhaps more
sophisticated than the average person. See
ESR's
writings for more on hacker skills (and how to obtain
some).
- Like most specialists and enthusiasts, computer hackers
have some (apparently) secret knowledge that laypeople do
not.
- Because computers are difficult or frustrating
for many people to use, but at the same time very widely
used and valued, computer hackers take an extra mystique.
The media help to perpetuate the mystique.
- The distinction between a computer hacker and
a computer criminal is often easily made: criminals commit
crimes. Leading hacker forums,
such as the 2600 Magazine,
make this distinction clear.
- A challenge is that hackers are curious and often
smart. They might not agree with a law, or offer a
different interpretation, or act in ways the law doesn't
cover. These people might be perceived (and prosecuted)
as criminals. The Skylarov case
is a recent example.
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