For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the word "hacker"

Re:For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the wor... by ronnoch on Monday June 07, 2010 @12:12AM (#1409835)

    the most common meaning of the word, the one 
    that 99% of all people who read it are going to 
    think is computer criminals. Perhaps PBS 
    should consider the power and pervasiveness of 
    the common tongue before writing articles.

Sadly, I agree. Outside certain subcultures--the ones that dominate HN, for instance--hacker means cracker. You really can't blame the average PBS watcher or Facebook user for not knowing this.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the wor... by lotharbot on Monday June 07, 2010 @12:49AM (#1409884)

> "You really can't blame the average PBS watcher or Facebook user for not knowing this."

No -- but you can blame them for:

1) failing to read the article, which is about development rather than breaking into things

2) insisting that their definition is correct even after it's been pointed out that PBS wasn't using the word that way

3) getting defensive/upset that other people would dare correct their ignorance

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the wor... by shortformblog on Monday June 07, 2010 @12:19AM (#1409844)

Totally with you on this, sadly. I bet if I told some non-techie type that I read/posted on a site called "Hacker News," I'd get seen as some sort of nerdy deviant.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the wor... by ortusdux on Monday June 07, 2010 @12:42AM (#1409873)

If you ever need to win over a non-techie, just remind them that macgyver was a hacker. And then get them free cable.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the wor... by younata on Monday June 07, 2010 @01:47AM (#1409962)

Doesn't work with people younger than twenty. I've tried.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the wor... by shortformblog on Monday June 07, 2010 @01:55AM (#1409975)

Just replace MacGyver with MacGruber. Problem solved.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:For your amusement: PBS fans who don't understand the wor... by blhack on Monday June 07, 2010 @12:46AM (#1409881)

I get this once in a while if I have it up on my screen while somebody walks into my office.

"OMG hacker news? So do you like...break into banks and stuff?"

sigh.

[ Parent | on HN ]