[hobin]

Sigh.

Feds have been an integral part since DEF CON 1. They're welcome, and booing them of the stage is just childish. Again, I'm pretty sure the majority of hackers don't agree with them, and may even think they're a bunch of morons, but it's still interesting to hear what they have to say. People do get booed of the stage, but for entirely different reasons, e.g. http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9755135-7.html (and watch the video, it's hilarious).

(Also, talking about security-people-hackers on a site primarily focused on programming-startup-hackers confuses the crap out of me.)

[mindcrime]

Again, I'm pretty sure the majority of hackers don't agree with them, and may even think they're a bunch of morons, but it's still interesting to hear what they have to say.

So, "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer?" :-)

Anyway, you make a good point, and there are good reasons to let the NSA guy have his say. But when you look at the abuses perpetrated by the US government over the years, it's hard to feel good about hanging around and listening to more propaganda from their representatives. And chucking tomatoes at him would send a strong message "don't assume that we are on the same side, or that we are going to support your agenda" or whatever.

[LiveTheDream]

> (Also, talking about security-people-hackers on a site primarily focused on programming-startup-hackers confuses the crap out of me.)

From the Hacker News Guidelines: "On-Topic: Anything that good hackers would find interesting."

The folks at DEF CON are some of the best hackers out there. Have you seen any of the presentations?

[seabee]

The point is not that security-people-hackers are off-topic, but that they are not the ones usually meant when talking about hackers on this site.

[rektide]

Booing is a bit mean-spirited. I think the appropriate disruption is everyone saying "rabble rabble rabble rabble" together.