| The purpose of this research project is to help with the expansion of academic research into the relatively unexplored area of computer hackers. By studying hackers, academia learns more about a community in society. Beyond this, looking at this group allows for the application and expansion of theory. Specific research questions are considered. One, what are the parameters that constitute a hacker? Two, how are these parameters established in different arenas? Three, can hackers be considered a proper subculture? Four, if a hacker subculture exists, what are the primary aspects of this culture?; Specifically, hackers were looked at from a subcultures perspective in three different areas. First writings on hackers were considered, written both by hackers and academics. Then online surveys of self-confessed hackers were conducted and analyzed. Lastly, content analysis was done on newspaper writings on hackers from a specific time frame.; Hackers, and perceptions of hackers, were found to contain numerous dichotomies. For those surveyed, the role of a hacker was seen as being a hard worker deeply concerned with learning about computers and systems and the responsibility of a hacker is to improve computing for others. At the same time, the connection between hackers and breaking the security on computers is not refuted, especially in media analysis of this group. The position is put forth that cracking security is possibly connected to age, that younger hackers are more likely to see computing as a game and therefore less likely to consider the implications of computer invasion.; Based upon the idea that a subculture stands in opposition to the dominant culture in society, hackers are determined to not have the necessary aspects of subcultural status. Some components of the hacker community may have this, but too many other members of this group support the preservation and improvement of society to support hackers as a subculture. |
