Hacker Manifesto
This manifesto paints hackers as a community of people whose ultimate goal is to lobby for the free flow of information as a vessel for creation.The author describes hackers as those who use information to create new worlds. I agree with the description of a hacker as someone whose creation contributes to the knowledge and well-being of the public. The idea that the hackers do not own the worlds that they create is a way to think of hacking as a service. It allows for hackers to be seen in a positive light as opposed to the usual negative connotation that the word “hacker” holds. I agree with the author when he says that hackers must have new information available to them in order to create new information.I found the section on education to be an interesting standpoint. The idea of information being available to all is something I agree will lead to an overall more informed and proactive society. I like the idea that hacker knowledge, in its practice, is a “ gift of the result to a network of peers.” The hackers view themselves as a community who believe knowledge should be shared. Education has become increasingly limited to those with the means to access it and it does not necessarily guarantee the consumer will acquire knowledge.
“The immaterial nature of information means that the possession by one of information need not deprive another of it.”
This quote allows me to understand the point of view of the author in the debate of what information should be considered and protected as intellectual property. This debate is complex and many people have various opinions but the authors take on information is radical but can be persuasive. Although, it can be argued that the “immateriality” of information is not a valid reason for it to be freely flowing without any restrictions, some might agree with that take on it. Overall, the author does not see hacking as an issue of legality or theft but as a form of expression.