What's The Difference Between a Hacker and a Programmer?

[Bonzi]

... or a Chemist and a Meth Lab Operator?

Meaning, both have skill sets, advanced ones, but, one uses is for a "bad" and other for "good". Why?

- Socio Economic Class
- Inborn Moral Compass
- Taught Moral Compass
- Peers / "Wrong" Friends

Which is the largest factor? The skill sets have to be learned, cultivated, so, is the fact that you can self-teach and do the same work as someone that has to go to school to do the "job" the main reason?

 

[Derideo_Te]

Hacking with intent to deny the rightful owner of the code something of value is criminal behavior and should be punished accordingly.

The motivation is irrelevant.

 

[waltky]

Originally hacker did not have a bad connotation...

... it meant someone who was self-taught...

... and learned what worked and what didn't...

... by trial and error.

 

[Bonzi]

Hacking with intent to deny the rightful owner of the code something of value is criminal behavior and should be punished accordingly.

The motivation is irrelevant.

I agree. I guess I'm just ponder why they don't make a living out of it instead of doing what they do.
Just a "bad" person?