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it's becoming the antithesis of everything that the original Hacker culture stood for. A hacker in the “Hacker News” sense is more than likely working on an ad

it's becoming the antithesis of everything that the original Hacker culture stood for. A hacker in the “Hacker News” sense is more than likely working on an ad-supported web app and dreams of working at a FAANG. The old hacker dream is dead, sadly.

EliRivers 6y ago
Long gone. The last time I had a conversation here about what a "hacker" is, there was a sizeable contingent who defined it as "someone who knows how to write computer programs". If that hacker ethic lives, it's not in people labelled "hackers" anymore.
- eeZah7Ux 6y ago
  It's alive and kicking, but certainly not on "hacker" "news" or SV. See all the events like CCC and the fediverse.
  - rmoriz 6y ago
    I know so many CCC people who have trouble to make a living or are (un/happily) employed by companies that went all in Apple, Google, Mirosoft, AWS. Many for sure are brilliant brains but they lack to monetize it. To break or stop near-monopoly/walled garden systems you have to dismantle them through the market. Build better/cheaper (primary) alternatives which are free and open (secondary). IMHO mainstream only values convenience and price, freedom is only a "nice to have" item and when it requires more work it is a no-starter.
    - eeZah7Ux 6y ago
      > Many for sure are brilliant brains but they lack to monetize it. ...as if selling your brain was the most important thing in life. > you have to dismantle them through the market Citation needed. The large majority of modern technology was developed with public money.
BLKNSLVR 6y ago
You're not looking hard enough, which is also part of the problem. Back in the "golden years" you'd have to put effort in to finding and participating in the community. The real hackers are still somewhat underground simply because they're anti establishment; actively seeking out the high effort, loss making niches that attract fringe thinkers and the unique characters required for true innovation. Crypto parties, maker faires, get to one. If nothing exists locally, build it and they will come. (And admittedly I need to take my own advice).
- moksly 6y ago
  We have an open space workshop and hack shop in my town, and it’s frequented by quite a lot of people. You’ll see anything IoT, 3D printing and Linux you can imagine being hacked upon. You can also see people building race cars, or ideas that eventually turn into businesses. Everyone has an Apple or android device, and macs are easily make up 90% of the personal workhorse laptops. Because at the end of the day, technology that just works, is nice too. I get that it’s probably very different in crypto communities, but we don’t really have any of those around here. I wouldn’t say that real hackers aren’t using walled gardens though.
- zepto 6y ago
  Maker faires perhaps, but crypto parties seem a lot like pyramid scheme parties on steroids.

EliRivers 6y ago

Long gone. The last time I had a conversation here about what a "hacker" is, there was a sizeable contingent who defined it as "someone who knows how to write computer programs". If that hacker ethic lives, it's not in people labelled "hackers" anymore.

eeZah7Ux 6y ago
It's alive and kicking, but certainly not on "hacker" "news" or SV. See all the events like CCC and the fediverse.
- rmoriz 6y ago
  I know so many CCC people who have trouble to make a living or are (un/happily) employed by companies that went all in Apple, Google, Mirosoft, AWS. Many for sure are brilliant brains but they lack to monetize it. To break or stop near-monopoly/walled garden systems you have to dismantle them through the market. Build better/cheaper (primary) alternatives which are free and open (secondary). IMHO mainstream only values convenience and price, freedom is only a "nice to have" item and when it requires more work it is a no-starter.
  - eeZah7Ux 6y ago
    > Many for sure are brilliant brains but they lack to monetize it. ...as if selling your brain was the most important thing in life. > you have to dismantle them through the market Citation needed. The large majority of modern technology was developed with public money.

BLKNSLVR 6y ago

You're not looking hard enough, which is also part of the problem. Back in the "golden years" you'd have to put effort in to finding and participating in the community. The real hackers are still somewhat underground simply because they're anti establishment; actively seeking out the high effort, loss making niches that attract fringe thinkers and the unique characters required for true innovation. Crypto parties, maker faires, get to one. If nothing exists locally, build it and they will come. (And admittedly I need to take my own advice).

moksly 6y ago
We have an open space workshop and hack shop in my town, and it’s frequented by quite a lot of people. You’ll see anything IoT, 3D printing and Linux you can imagine being hacked upon. You can also see people building race cars, or ideas that eventually turn into businesses. Everyone has an Apple or android device, and macs are easily make up 90% of the personal workhorse laptops. Because at the end of the day, technology that just works, is nice too. I get that it’s probably very different in crypto communities, but we don’t really have any of those around here. I wouldn’t say that real hackers aren’t using walled gardens though.
zepto 6y ago
Maker faires perhaps, but crypto parties seem a lot like pyramid scheme parties on steroids.