Re: cypherpunks vs hackers

[tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May)]

At 5:59 PM 7/28/96, pjn@nworks.com wrote:
> In> How can we differentiate cypherpunks to hackers? What are their
> In> attitudes, psychological thinking, main objective?
>
> It is interesting to note that while both groups have opposite
> objectives (Hackers want all information free, where cypherpunks want
> everbody to be able to have privacy), and yet in there own ways, they
> are both right.

I don't believe this is an accurate picture of "what hackers want." The
"information wants to be free" view is one facet of the outlook of
many--but not all--hackers.

Rather than debate semantics of the definition of "hacker," or ask others
to suggest definitions, it might be better for interested folks to read
some of the various books on the topic and then decide for themselves. Some
of them are:

- Levy, "Hackers," of course

- Haffner and Markoff, "Cyberpunk"

- Sterling's book on hackers

- any one (but not more) of the several Shimomura v. Mitnick books

etc.

--Tim


Boycott "Big Brother Inside" software!
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed.
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May              | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
tcmay@got.net  408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA  | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Licensed Ontologist         | black markets, collapse of governments.
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."