You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Hacker News: Hack everything!

Cracking company: We've cracked the iPhone and are selling the tech to law enforcement.

Ref: http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/meaning-of-hack.html http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/C/cracker.html

I'm sorry, but it's no longer the 1980s. In plain English, hacking now means "gain unauthorized access to a computer." You may not like it, but English is defined by usage, not whatever culture the one-time jargon was inherited from.

Regardless, the point is that the parent's satirical accusation of hypocrisy is invalid because it's using the same word "hack" for two very different meanings.

I mean, yes, that was the joke.

Really?!? Your response to my lame joke about Hacker New hypocrisy is to define hacking vs cracking for me? Thanks man.

If you think this is a website about hacking, you have been very much misinformed...

Hint: I've been here a while, and do very much get what HN is about. I simplified my argument to make a point: the hypocrisy of Hacker New "users" (including myself) when it comes to hacking (both in the broad sense and specific techniques) when it comes to law enforcement.

Yeah it's a bit like FOSS people not liking for profit companies using open source to make money or like people saying you have freedom of speech but what you say offense them.

Having your cake and all that.