Week 12

The history of hackerdom shows how much the real hackerdom differs from stereotypes about it. The real one is a culture, not a job. It is a bit bigger than a hobby, but as money-based as a job should be. And comparing the first idea of hackerdom to hippy culture is actually a very good comparison and not humiliation. Because both cultures share similar values and beliefs.

In cases, where the main idea of hackerdom is followed (“The world is full of fascinating problems waiting to be solved”), and when a hacker is ruled by pure curiosity and desire to make both virtual and real worlds a better place, these commandments really work. Moreover, they strive not only to improve the ability to hack but apply it to all aspects of life. To learn other things outside the hackerdom, to improve soft skills. 

However, in my opinion, now the world is a more competitive and materialistic place. Because tons of information are available to everyone, and everyone can do with this information whatever they want, hackerdom mainly became a way to earn, and it is not such a fine thing as it was earlier. It was stated in the passage that the hackerdom wasn’t implied in business - now it is. Because of competitiveness, the environment became a lot harsher, and it appears to be much more difficult to follow the original ideas.

Nevertheless, I am sure it all comes from a person’s intentions. If you see hackerdom as an art and not an easy way to fortune, it will be art for you, and you will surely find a community that has the same values, brushing aside pseudo-hackers.