One step is to change the negative associations with the word, "hacker." I once co-organized a hackathon for teachers and we debated long and hard about using t

One step is to change the negative associations with the word, "hacker." I once co-organized a hackathon for teachers and we debated long and hard about using the word "hack" in the title or tagline. In the end, we decided not to use the word because too many teachers thought "hacking" was about breaking into computer systems, like the movie. (I made sure to use the term in the description though, because I believe we really need to change the connotations of that term for the general public.) Later, some high school students who attended our hackathon decided to organize a similar event at their high school. They used the term "hack" in the title because that was how they could best attract other students. This was against the desires of their teachers, most of whom argued against using that term. Their event was a success and hopefully they've changed the way their high school views the word "hack." Or, maybe there just needs to be a character on "The Big Bang Theory" who is a hacker. Hollywood has a funny way of changing perceptions sometimes.