Anti-conformity to the "mainstream" seems to be a compulsion, or even an addiction, with self-described hackers. Why not maintain the hacker ideals of innovation and disruption while hacking others' perceptions of you to make yourself seem more trustworthy and respectable? You will surely wind up with someone of the sort as your boss. That's just the way the world works.
Anti-conformity to the "mainstream" seems to be a compulsion, or even an addiction, with self-described hackers.
You are correct. Is there a point though?
Why not maintain the hacker ideals of innovation and disruption while hacking others' perceptions of you to make yourself seem more trustworthy and respectable?
Precisely. And this cuts both ways. Hope you can see that.
You will surely wind up with someone of the sort as your boss. That's just the way the world works.
Sure, hence HN, YC and the audience here that is actively striving towards being their own boss. Actively changing the way the world works as part of their striving for freedom from such bosses!
There's nothing there that says you have to wear a suit and tie to work. It's a guide for wearing clothes so you don't look like a bowl of oatmeal. Rules are always made to be broken once you understand how the system works. Male fashion doesn't mean you have to wear slacks and button down shirts. I wear jeans, sneakers and tshirts every day. But I've learned how to buy clothes that look like they fit me and less like a cholo gangster.
If you are in a profession that requires a "uniform" then I may have some empathy for your ideas. Otherwise, I am mentally unable to grasp the need for this thinly-veiled, vapid, conformist outlook regarding external appearances.
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6003097