- Bruce Sterling's new book is tentatively titled 'The Hacker Crackdown', covering the digital dragnet of 1990 and the origins of the Electronic Frontiers Foundation.
- The public's fear of hackers stems from a broader fear of computers, which are seen as uncontrollable and threatening societal changes.
- A true computer hacker is defined by intellectual curiosity, not just criminal activities like code theft.
- Hacking is driven by the pursuit of power rather than financial gain, distinguishing it from crimes like embezzlement.
- Sterling believes hacking should not be outlawed entirely, but laws against code theft are necessary as activities become more sophisticated and global.
- The future of hacking is predicted to involve more unsavory characters, moving beyond its earlier 'Summer of Love' phase.
- Sterling regrets the term 'cyberpunk' being applied to hackers, viewing it as a literary term misused due to ignorance, which led to unjust actions like the Steve Jackson bust.