The difference of course is that Black Hat is really expensive and DEF CON used to be really cheap -you also couldn't pre-purchase a badge so it was more egalit

The difference of course is that Black Hat is really expensive and DEF CON used to be really cheap -you also couldn't pre-purchase a badge so it was more egalitarian. DEF CON used to have more of the punk/libertarian/anarchist vibe where Black Hat was a corporate event. --Just my opinion, you may disagree.