Linux.com: A Brief History of Computer Hackerism (Excerpt Part Three): The Hacker Work Ethic

“Linus Torvalds says in his Prologue that, for the hacker, “the
computer itself is entertainment,” meaning that the hacker programs
because he finds programming intrinsically interesting, exciting,
and joyous.”

“The spirit behind other hackers’ creations is very similar to
this. Torvalds is not alone in describing his work with statements
like “Linux hackers do something because they find it to be very
interesting.” For example, Vinton Cerf, who is somtimes called “the
father of the Internet,” comments on the fascination programming
exerts: “There was something amazingly enticing about programming.”
Steve Wozniak, the person who built the first real personal
computer, says forthrightly about his discovery of the wonders of
programming: “It was just the most intriguing world.” This is a
general spirit: hackers program because programming challenges are
of intrinsic interest to them. Problems related to programming
arouse genuine curiosity in the hacker and make him eager to learn
more.”

“The hacker is also enthusiastic about this interesting thing;
it energizes him. From the MIT of the sixties onward, the classic
hacker has emerged from sleep in the early afternoon to start
programming with enthusiasm and has continued his efforts, deeply
immersed in coding, into the wee hours of the morning.”

Complete
Story