Earlier quoted context omitted.
And Quora doesn't disable pinchzoom like Slate does
Why would you disable pinchzoom?
Slate is run by Microsoft; need I say more?
What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
31–40 of 255 posts
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#32"I learned that you should go straight to the person you're upset with rather than go to authorities." This is bullshit and dumb advice. If someone steals my bike and I find out who it is, I'm not going to go to his apartment and beat him to death in the middle of the day (smart money on confronting a scumbag not leading to a productive conversation). Fuck that. The reason we have "authorities" is because we have peo…
Yeah, but there are second order effects. You've heard the terms "tattletale" and "snitch". They developed in reaction to a police force that is seen as outsiders, and as violent and arbitrary. If you invoke the "authorities," you're punished by your peer group, because the authorities tend to make the whole group's life more difficult. Instead of invoking "the authorities" you're left with direct confrontation, or o…
Sure, this advice might be helpful in the context of "you're in prison, the person that slighted you is also in prison," but outside of that, it's advice that only serves to aid the aggressor.
Also, why are you suggesting that my position is "middle class privilege" when you're suggesting that you understand ad-hoc prison justice systems?
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#33"I learned that you should go straight to the person you're upset with rather than go to authorities." This is bullshit and dumb advice. If someone steals my bike and I find out who it is, I'm not going to go to his apartment and beat him to death in the middle of the day (smart money on confronting a scumbag not leading to a productive conversation). Fuck that. The reason we have "authorities" is because we have peo…
No need for the edit quip.
Not everyone has the faith in the man that you do, and for good reason. This, among other reasons that others have covered already.
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#34Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#35I have a far off request. I remember reading a good long read quite some time ago. It was of a hacker that was sent to prison, I think federal prison. He goes into a lot of detail about how life is inside there and how you have to behave, I remember him advising to fight for your stuff even though you're going to lose since if not you'll become "their bitches" or something of the sort. If I remember correctly (might…
Might be this one: http://phrack.org/issues.html?issue=67&id=5#article if that's not the one you meant still definitely worth reading
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#36"I learned that you should go straight to the person you're upset with rather than go to authorities." This is bullshit and dumb advice. If someone steals my bike and I find out who it is, I'm not going to go to his apartment and beat him to death in the middle of the day (smart money on confronting a scumbag not leading to a productive conversation). Fuck that. The reason we have "authorities" is because we have peo…
No need for the edit quip. Not everyone has the faith in the man that you do, and for good reason. This, among other reasons that others have covered already.
The edit quip was necessary. I thought that hackernews would be safe from the "internet tough guy" syndrome, but I guess not.
I mean, I-get-it. The poor tend to go to jail at a higher rate than their more well-off counterparts for various reasons, but the "don't snitch" bullshit just keeps criminals safe to keep hurting their communities.
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#37"I learned that you should go straight to the person you're upset with rather than go to authorities." This is bullshit and dumb advice. If someone steals my bike and I find out who it is, I'm not going to go to his apartment and beat him to death in the middle of the day (smart money on confronting a scumbag not leading to a productive conversation). Fuck that. The reason we have "authorities" is because we have peo…
Should you ever end up in prison, you'll likely end up in "Punk City." (PC = Protective Custody = where snitches are kept)
Rule #1.) Never tell the authorities about anything that happens "inside."
In a prison society those who allow themselves to be victimized will naturally find themselves on the lower scale of that societal hierarchy.
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yeah, but there are second order effects. You've heard the terms "tattletale" and "snitch". They developed in reaction to a police force that is seen as outsiders, and as violent and arbitrary. If you invoke the "authorities," you're punished by your peer group, because the authorities tend to make the whole group's life more difficult. Instead of invoking "the authorities" you're left with direct confrontation, or o…
Sure, this advice might be helpful in the context of "you're in prison, the person that slighted you is also in prison," but outside of that, it's advice that only serves to aid the aggressor. Also, why are you suggesting that my position is "middle class privilege" when you're suggesting that you understand ad-hoc prison justice systems?
It's helpful in most contexts outside of white/middle class privilege. But I don't really understand your question?
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#39"I learned that you should go straight to the person you're upset with rather than go to authorities." This is bullshit and dumb advice. If someone steals my bike and I find out who it is, I'm not going to go to his apartment and beat him to death in the middle of the day (smart money on confronting a scumbag not leading to a productive conversation). Fuck that. The reason we have "authorities" is because we have peo…
Living in a society is about being able to reason with others. Instead of trying to skirt issues and involve authorities in hopes to solve problems, it usually is better to confront the person themselves. Your example went straight to an extreme. It doesn't have to be theft, or murder, or an assault that makes you "upset" at them. Maybe you feel wronged because they said something in public that you wanted private. A…
>Maybe you feel wronged because they said something in public that you wanted private.
You cannot go to authorities with "he called me a butt."
The issues here are a subclass of "crimes and wrongs that authorities would address." My example is not going to an extreme. Have you ever confronted a criminal? How did it go? Do you see where it could have gone worse?
Re: What is it like to be a geek in a prison?
#40I have a far off request. I remember reading a good long read quite some time ago. It was of a hacker that was sent to prison, I think federal prison. He goes into a lot of detail about how life is inside there and how you have to behave, I remember him advising to fight for your stuff even though you're going to lose since if not you'll become "their bitches" or something of the sort. If I remember correctly (might…
Agent Steal, maybe? http://web.textfiles.com/hacking/agentsteal.txt
Hmmm! I'm not quite sure, I remember reading this a long time ago also, but now re-reading this, I'm not 100% sure this was it, very much of the kind mind you.
Thanks a lot. I will re-read it all again and maybe some part rings a bell.