When I think of a hacker my mind goes to two things: revolution or crime. I think of movies where the hacker exposes the corrupt CIA officer and uploads his files to public view. Two very different ends of the spectrum. Data is everywhere and illegal use of data happens every day. Is there a way to use hackers as a combat digital force that exposes the injustices of the digital realm? Can we rewrite the narrative of “all hackers are bad.”
This could possibly provide a positive community for these hackers. Based on the hacker’s manifesto, these individuals may feel like outcasts. How can we shift the community into a positive life and create a structured framework that allows for growth and participation? NCSU’s new academic program “Hackers unite” will be starting in fall 2022.