[Noisebridge-discuss] [drama] My Hair Is On Fire - Current events that are shaping your rights as we speak

[Marc Juul]

> Hacking:
> "To attempt to solve a problem by artfully applying skills and tools in or
> closely related to the areas of computer programing or circuit design
> without reference to a plan or instructions." I don't think many would argue
> that it was people in software that started using the word in relation to
> writing software before it started to linguistically crawl its way into
> other circles.

I think this focus on which technologies allow for hacking is unneeded.

I wouldn't personally call someone a hacker because they do work that
can be called hacking.
I would call someone a hacker if they channel hacker culture in what they do.

My definition of a hacker is more or less as laid out by the hacker ethic:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_ethic#The_hacker_ethics

With the references to "computers" replaced by "technology".

If you managed to reprogram a microwave oven to break AES in less time
than it takes to pop your popcorn, but then sell it to the military
and don't disclose the solution to the public, then what you have done
might well be called a hack, or an act of hacking, but I would never
call that person a hacker.

I don't think we can ever come to an agreement on a definition, nor
that we should, but I do feel that the values of openness and
decentralization should be taken into account when using the word
hacker.

-- 
Marc Juul