Hacking: A Graffiti Writer's Perspective

by sc0ut64  (sc0ut64@yahoo.ca)

I find that one of my longest-running fascinations, computer hacking, has a lot to do with my greatest passion and hobby, graffiti art.

These are two very controversial subjects, and discussing them can usually generate a great response, depending on who you ask.  This is not a how-to article by any means, but rather a way to shed some light on the similarities between two of my favorite pastimes.  But I'll still include the standard disclaimer that getting caught participating in either of these activities might get you in trouble.

The first thing I can find these two subjects have in common is the reaction that you get when you tell someone that you do one or the other.

If you tell someone you're a computer hacker, you can usually expect confused or wary looks.  People assume that you've done shady things before, and they approach conversation choosing their words carefully, assuming that you might take some of the information and use it against them.

They might not be aware that the hacking you do might be completely legal.  You might be a pen-tester for a security firm, or you just might like running wargames on your network with your friends.  It depends on your definition of a hacker.

Similarly, when you tell someone that you're a graffiti artist, some people automatically assume that you're a vandal.

They think you're one of those stereotypical guys who tags up convenience stores at night, or that you're one of the people who vandalized all those New York City trains years ago.  They might think that your bedroom is a mess and that all your schoolbooks are scribbled on.  They may not realize that there are plenty of legal areas to tag up and that what you do falls completely within the law, or that you might be a graphic design student whose style is completely digital.  It depends on your definition of "graffiti."

Another similarity between these two areas is legality.

Graffiti writing really came into popularity in the 1970s and 1980s in New York City.  Yes, it caused all kinds of chaos, and many people were penalized once the city implemented graffiti laws.

Like many great things, because it was new and brought change, people didn't like it.

Likewise, when hacking started becoming extremely popular, there were no laws or governing bodies to regulate what went on.  With these two cultures and many others, once the government felt things got a little too out of control, they stepped in and "supervised."  There are a number of other similarities between the two fields:

• Some ways of participating in these activities are illegal and carry penalties of various kinds.
• You need permission for participation to be legal.  You can't just 0wn your friend's b0x any more than you can tag up his room; you need to have an O.K. from him first.
• There are contests.  These are great for intellectual stimulation, learning, meeting new people, and challenging yourself.
• There are a lot of graffiti-based themes in computer hacking and in video games.  Clan tags and sigs have gotten very, very cool.
• Depending on who you ask, both can be considered either vandalism and crime or art and expression.
• An interest in either field can lead to a great career.
• Sometimes, both practices involve going places you're not supposed to go.
• Sometimes, you have to come back to the same places to finish what you started.

There are more similarities, but you get the idea.

Graffiti and hacking have evolved into distinct cultures; just like every culture, you have good people and bad people.  People come and go, but the culture survives.

Legal or not, these activities will still go on.  The question still remains: how will you represent your culture?

Shouts: Adict, Kiwi, www.worldwideblackbookproject.com