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Hackers' Shutdown of 'The Interview' Confirms Coding Is a Superpower
theodp writes: The idea of programming as a superpower was touched upon by CS teacher Alfred Thompson back in 2010, but it became a rallying call of sorts for the Hour of Code after Dropbox CEO Drew Houston described coding as "the closest thing we have to a superpower" in a Code.org video that went viral. And if the kids who learned to code with the President last week were dubious about the power of coding, this week's decision by Sony to scrap the release of the satirical film The Interview after a massive hack attack should put aside any doubts, especially after new revelations that Sony had reached out to the White House for help and screened the film for administration officials back in June. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday that the Obama Administration is viewing the Sony attack as a "serious national security matter" and is considering a range of possible options as a response, which could turn things into a contest of U.S. Superpower vs. Coding Superpower. In case it wasn't mentioned last week, remember to always use your coding superpower for good, kids!
The threat that stopped the movie from being released was the claim of blowing up theaters. Why would the theater chains who backed out care about Sony's data being leaked?
State sponsored hacks are indeed state acts of terrorism and/or act of war. KJU and his followers are cowards who can only do any damage indirectly by way of the internet.
I invite the coward, known to the world as KJU, to visit us in our great country of the United States. I for one do not recognize any sort of diplomatic immunity to take precedence over my natural right to self-preservation and my constitutional right to arm myself. I will do everyone a favor and will promptly head shot that pudgy, little, bastard with my Israeli made, .50 cal, muzzle braked, Desert Eagle. The video will be promptly posted on video sites the world over.
Without coding, the movies and data wouldn't have been copied.
And without coding, man would never have walked on the moon. Therefore, Neil Armstrong was a computer programmer.
You know, one of the reasons hackers get bothered when people who break into computers get called "hackers" is because it implies the crackers can code. It's why the phrase "script kiddie" was invented. Breaking into a computer doesn't require coding, and doesn't imply coding.
The idea of North Korean computer programmers reminds me of Elbonia.
The idea of North Korean computer programmers reminds me of Elbonia.
North Korea has built compact nuclear warheads, put satellites in orbit, and (because of sanctions) independently developed a number of technologies. They would not have been able to do those things if they couldn't program.
Instead of just slurping up the propaganda that your government is spoon feeding you, learn to think for yourself. Go to Google Maps, zoom in on North Korea, and then click on "Earth". You will see paved roads with cars on them, farms with tractors, houses not much smaller than in the South, etc. North Korea is a poor and backwards country, but not nearly to the degree that you have been told. Until around 1970, it was wealthier, per capita, than South Korea.