Readings

The readings for this week revolve around the culture and ethos of the tech industry. In particular, we will focus on the Hacker Culture and how that has had an impact on the perception of what it means to be a computer scientist or engineer.

Hackers

These readings explore what it means to be a hacker and the culture that has been built up around this image.

1. The Conscience of a Hacker

   See also: A Portrait of J. Random Hacker

2. Hackers and Painters

   See also: The Word "Hacker", Great Hackers

3. How yuppies hacked the original hacker ethos

4. Mark Zuckerberg's Letter to Investors: The Hacker Way

Meritocracy

These readings explore the notion of meritocracy, which is a central tenet in the technology industry.

1. The Capitol of Meritocracy is Silicon Valley, Not Wall Street

2. Silicon Valley Isn't a Meritocracy. And It's Dangerous to Hero-Worship Entrepreneurs

3. The Perils of Meritocracy

4. Naive meritocracy and the meanings of myth

Philanthropy

These readings consider the generosity and philanthropy of some of tech's biggest names.

1. Sean Parker: Philanthropy for Hackers

2. A letter to our daughter

3. How the Gates Foundation Reflects the Good and the Bad of "Hacker Philanthropy"

4. Record thin on Steve Jobs’s philanthropy

Income Inequality

These readings examine one way Silicon Valley is considering tackling the problem of income inequality

1. The Refragmentation

2. Why Silicon Valley is embracing universal basic income

3. Paul Graham has accidentally explained everything wrong with Silicon Valley's world view

4. Silicon Valley's Unchecked Arrogance

Miscellaneous

1. Mr. Robot Killed the Hollywood Hacker

Questions

Please write a response to one of the following questions:

1. From the readings and from your experience, what exactly is a hacker? That is, what are the key characteristics of the hacker archetype? Do you identify with these attributes? That is, would you consider yourself a hacker? What is your reaction to this characterization?

2. From the readings and from your experience, what is the ethos of the computing industry? That is, what are its core beliefs or guiding principles? How does the computing industry manifest these ideals? Is it successful in maintaining its principles? Discuss whether or not these principles match your own.

3. Of the following computing luminaries, who is the most moral or ethical: Richard Stallman, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, or Mark Zuckerberg? Who is the least? Discuss your reasoning and provide support for your arguments.

   What if we changed the question to who has had the most positive effect on the world rather than who was the most ethical or moral. Does that change your assessment of any of the persons? Explain.

4. Does the computing industry have an obligation to address social and political issues such as income inequality? How well suited is it to meet such challenges? How does the ethos of the computing industry influence its take on "fixing" social, economic, and political problems? Can tech save the world?

Feedback

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the course, please provide your feedback at the end of your response.