Comment by easterncalculus
1 year ago
Feel basically the opposite, in fact I would go to say this takeawway is the wrong one - the article is titled "Calling All Hackers" but can't go three headings without talking about shitcoins and venture capital. There's the HN definition of hacker and the infosec one, and phrack is for the latter. "High tech, low life" hackers don't have obsessions with venture capital.
Well isn't that the thesis of the article? It's meant to be an explanation of the modern startup economy (HN) for the capital-H Hacker.
> My point is, it is not just about computers. It's about understanding how the world works. The world is made up of people. As much as machines keep society running, those machines are programmed by people--people with managers, spouses, and children; with wants, needs, and dreams. And it is about using that knowledge to bring about the change you want to see.
> That is what being a hacker is all about.
Agreed. Remember when hacking was about meddling with systems of global finance rather than engaging with them earnestly? This guy doesn’t.
At one point you grow up and realize the fastest way to your goals is using money, and best bet to get lots of money fast is the VC game.
Your argument has a logic leap in it: The fastest way to your goals is using money, but that doesn't mean you need lots of money to achieve your goals.
All things in balance. It's often easier to get stuff done with more hands, and it's a lot easier when you're able to pay for people's time.
There are plenty of counter-examples to this (writing OSS software, farming your own land with a commune, etc), but in general it's easier to get stuff done when you can throw cash at it, at least in late stage capitalism. It'd be hard to build a company like SpaceX without a boatload of cash!
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That's the vibe I would have if I didn't read past the first third of the post.
> "High tech, low life" hackers don't have obsessions with venture capital.
This sounds like you're conflating aesthetics with what the article is actually discussing.