Hackers: An Origin Story, Study the Genesis of Hackers.
Course Description
Hackers today have significant impacts on our world. Yet, how well are they understood by society? Unlike the perception offered by Hollywood, hackers are not a monoculture, hooded at a basement computer clenching a sugar-rich drink and plotting to destroy society. Hackers are a diverse community, with their order encompassing those who spend their days using technology to improve the world to others who exploit digital systems to enrich themselves. This course delves into the history of hackers to offer a more comprehensive picture of the community and its cultural legacy.
Starting at MIT after the Second World War, hackers drove technological innovation with emerging computing technology. We explore these early origins and trace the stories of hackers through to their modern incarnation. During our journey we meet digital titans hacking phone networks (Steve Jobs and Wozniak), rock lyricists advocating for the independence of the Internet (John Perry Barlow), and hactivists challenging those they perceive to be acting unjustly.
Finally, we assess hackers today, from those working to keep our digital world safe to cybercriminals who threaten to disrupt our societies.
Whilst this course covers a technical subject matter, this is not a technical course and is accessible to all.
