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Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 08:21:43 CST
From:         Monica Weaver <weaver@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu>
Subject:      The Hacker Ethic--Assign #2

----------------------------Original message----------------------------

        Levy, Steven. "The Hacker Ethic". chapter 2 from
        HACKERS: Heroes of the Computer Revolution.
        Garden City, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1984. pp.26-36.


        "Access to computers--and anything which might teach you
        something about the way the world works--should be unlimited
    and total. Always yield to the Hands-On Imperative."

        "All information should be free."

        "Mistrust Authority--Promote Decentralization."

        "Hackers should be judged by their hacking, not bogus criteria
        such as degrees, age, race, or position."

        "You can create art and beauty on a computer."

    "Computers can change your life for the better."

Over View of HACKERS
        The above quotes are the "ethics" that Steven Levy had found
        pertained to hackers, in the 1950-s-1960's at MIT. Throughout
        his book he uses these to compare other hackers. "Do these
        ethics influence the way they live?" "What happens when there
        is a confrontation with others who do not share these ethics?"
    The book HACKERS as a whole, is good background reading for the
        topic of the computer underground and the ethics that are
        developing there. For someone interested it gives good
        historical coverage in a popular literature format.
        The years covered include 1950's-1960's with the programming
        hackers of MIT, the 1970's with hardware hackers in California,
        namely the Homebrew (build-your-own) computer groups and Apples.
        The 1980's with the game hackers, where the "real world" is
        entertained through game designing. The book ends back at MIT,
    with Richard Stallman and the GNU.

Chapter Two: The Hacker Ethic
        Levy's book HACKERS is mainly based on this chapter.
        Upon my first reading, I was interested on how much
        these ethics are like the Library Bill of RIghts
        adopted by the ALA, with a heavy emphasis on the
        freedom of information. After finishing the book
        and re-reading the chapter I believe the strongest
    ethic emphasised by Levy is the "Hands-On Imperative".
        But I think the relation to the ALA's collected views
        can bring a some insight to librarians and those in
        the information field to the acceptance of this
        counter-culture as being viable and co-productive
        with our goals.

        "Access...should be unlimited and total"
        Discovery of the world is the goal both of hackers and
        of those using a library. Libraries maybe more material
        oriented and hackers more hands-on, but both methods
        are used. The resentment of barriers from obtaining
        such access is real in both situations. We combat
        physical barriers and laws <i.e. funding for libraries>
        that must be overcome to continue in the goal. In both
        cases librarians and hackers may find themselves doing
        things that they would not do in other situations.
        Providing access to materials within a library that
        you would not think to own in your home. Finding
        equipment or wiring, "stealing", to add new features
        to the system on which the hacker is working.

        "All information should be free."
        With the hacker's ethic this is rather practical, how
        could you "fix" or improve something when you are
        lacking the information needed to do such things. The
        ease of information flow is essential to hacking. This
        is also true in Libraries, and is being questioned
        with the delima of "free or fee" as well as other
        issues. Systems, as far as libraries are concerned are
        essential in the loaning of library materials.

        "Mistrust Authority--Promote Decentralization"
        When I first read this "ethic" I wasn't sure what it
        could mean. It seemed very negative. Discovering that
        it was a call for 'free exchange of information" on
        an "open system" as opposed to a highly regulated
        system, cleared up a few things. Hackers have problems
        with computer companies and the attitude of superiority.
        Some of this same attitude comes into play when people
        ask a body to "censor" the materials provided to others
        because the "others shouldn't be reading that anyway".
        Whether it is the censoring of "obsenities" or the
        treatment that "popular literature" receives among the
        more "scholarly", this attitude distracts from the goal
        of learning about life.

        "Hackers should be judged by their hacking, not bogus
        criteria such as degrees, age, race, or position."
    This area seems contrary to the "professionalism" that
        is now being portrayed as of great importance in the
        Library field. Though as far as providing information it
        still holds true. "A person's right to use a library
        should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age
    background, or views." In fact in this aspect I think the
        library is more liberal in the people allowed to use
        the resources. When it comes to the using the full
        potential of those working in the library field I am of
        the opinion that this concept should be explored.
    If a person works in a library and knows any particularar
        topic upon which a patron is needing some information
        then there knowledge should be utlized no matter what
        the age or "degree" of the person. In other words, if you
        have a technician that has an interest in mysteries then
    they could very well be that library's expert.

        "You can create art and beauty on a computer"
        The art and beauty of these hackers was a program with the
        fewest amount of steps, that achieved the outcome with no
        bugs occuring. The "art and beauty" of those in the library
        field I believe goes along with this and the general goal.
        Taking the least amount of steps to get the information
        needed to the enduser. This was a "competitive" area for
        hackers and I see it as competitive for information
        scientists as well. It is also legitiment to start a search
        where others may have ended, so that duplication of work
        will not occur.

        "Computers can change your life for the better"
        Recognizing the potential for use of a computer and keeping
        an open mind can only lead to more benefits. I am in agreement
        with Steven Levy when he wrote, "If everyone could interact
        with computers with the same innocent, productive, creative
        impulse that hackers did, the Hacker Ethic might spread
        through society like a benevolent ripple, and computers would
        indeed change the world for the better" Libraries and hackers
        both seem to seehe importance of information and getting
        the information needed.

        I think that the "Hacker Ethic" is not to unlike the ethics
        adopted by ALA in the Library Bill of Rights. I have yet to
        explore the "Freedom to Read Statement" for similarities.
        By understanding the "Hacker Ethic" I think librarians and
        information scientists can truly recognize the importance
        of the freedom of information.
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