[alpine]

Hackers can be found in all walks of life, it is not a label to be restricted to those working in technology or writing code. Hackers are people that can effect leveraged change on a system (eg human, technological, natural), taking delight in the outcome. Above all, I would say a sense of mischief and fun is the common trait found in hackers. Read a couple of Richard Feynman's books. He's quite explicit - his work was often done simply 'for the fun of it'.