7H3 4RC|-|430L06Y 0F 7|-|3 3L173

4857R4C7

7|-|15 c0rn3r570n3 355@y 3x@m1n35 7|-|3 h1570r1c@l d3v3l0pm3n7 0f l337sp34k (4l50 kn0wn @5 13375p34k, 3l337, 0r 51mply "1337"), @ un1qu3 d1g174l l1ngu1571c ph3n0m3n0n 7|-|@7 3m3rg3d fr0m 7|-|3 bull371n b0@rd 5y573m5 (BB5) 0f 7|-|3 1980s. 7hr0ugh 7|-|3 m37h0d0l0gy 0f 4rch430by70l0gy—7|-|3 57udy 0f d1g174l @r71f@c75 @5 @ d1571nc7 0n70l0g1c@l cl@55—w3 7r@c3 7|-|3 3v0lu710n 0f 7|-|15 cr1ph3r fr0m 175 0r1g1n5 @5 @ pr@c71c@l 3v@510n 700l 70 175 curr3n7 57@7u5 @5 @ cul7ur@l @r71f@c7 @nd p37r1by73. 7|-|3 3x@m1n@710n r3v3@l5 h0w 13375p34k func710n3d @5 @ 5h1bb0l37h 0f 73chn1c@l 3l1735, @ m3ch@n15m f0r c0mmun17y f0rm@710n, @nd @ l1v1ng 73x7u@l 7r@d1710n 7|-|@7 pr3d@73d 7|-|3 W0rld W1d3 W3b by n3@rly @ d3c@d3.

1. 1N7R0DUC710N: D3F1N1NG 7H3 D1G174L V3RN@CUL@R

1337sp34k r3pr353n75 0n3 0f 7|-|3 m057 f@5c1n@71ng c@535 0f 5p0n7@n30u5 l1ngu1571c 3v0lu710n 1n 7|-|3 d1g174l @g3. Un|1k3 c0n5ruc73d l@ngu@g35 l1k3 35p3r@n70 0r pr0gr@mm1ng l@ngu@g35 d351gn3d by c0mm17733, 1337 3m3rg3d 0rg@n1c@lly fr0m 7|-|3 c0mmu71c@71v3 pr@c71c35 0f 3@rly c0mpu73r 3n7hu51@575.^[1] 17 15 @ 5y573m 0f m0d1f13d 5p3ll1ng5 7|-|@7 r3pl@c35 l3773r5 w17h numb3r5, 5ymb0l5, 0r c0mb1n@710n5 7h3r30f, cr3@71ng @ v15u@lly d1571nc71v3 f0rm 0f wr1773n c0mmun1c@710n.

7h3 73rm "1337" 175elf d3r1v35 fr0m "3l173," r3f3rr1ng 70 7|-|3 h1gh-57@7u5 u53r5 0n BB5 5y573m5 wh0 h@d @cc355 70 r35r1c73d c0n73n7, 5p3c1@l ch@7 r00m5, @nd f1l3 r3p0517r135.^[2] 7h3 w0rd "3l173" 175elf und3rw3n7 @ 53r135 0f 7r@n5f0rm@710n5—fr0m "3l173" 70 "31337" 70 "1337"—d3m0n57r@71ng 7h3 v3ry pr0c355 17 w@5 n@m3d @f73r. 7h15 r3curs1v3 53lf-r3f3r3n71@l17y 15 @ h@llm@rk 0f 1337 @5 @ l1ngu1571c ph3n0m3n0n.

Fr0m @n @rch430by70l0g1c@l p3r5p3c71v3, 1337 c0n571u735 @ p@r71cul@rly r1ch v1v1by73—@ l1v1ng d1g174l @r71f@c7 7h@7 c0n71nu35 70 3v0lv3 @nd @d@p7.^[3] Y37 17 @l50 3xh1b175 ch@r@c73r1571c5 0f p37r1by735—f0551l1z3d d1g174l c0n73n7—@5 175 0r1g1n@l c0n73x75 @nd u5@g35 h@v3 b3c0m3 1ncr3@51ngly 0bscur3 70 m0d3rn @ud13nc35. 7h15 du@l n@7ur3 m@k35 17 @n 1d3@l 5ubj3c7 f0r d1g174l @rch@30l0g1c@l 1nv35716@710n.

2. PR0G3N170R5 @ND PR3CUR50R5: 7H3 PH0N3 PHR34K 3R4

70 und3r57@nd 7|-|3 3m3rg3nc3 0f 1337, w3 mu57 f1r57 3x@m1n3 7|-|3 cul7ur@l m1l13u fr0m wh1ch 17 5pr@ng. 7h3 ph0n3 phr3@k5 0f 7h3 1960s @nd 1970s 3574bl15h3d m@ny 0f 7h3 cul7ur@l @7717ud35 @nd sl@ng pr@c71c35 7h@7 w0uld l@73r 1nf0rm h@ck3r c0mmun1713s.^[4]

Ph0n3 phr3@k1ng—7h3 3xpl0r@710n @nd m@n1pul@710n 0f 73l3ph0n3 5y573m5—3m3rg3d 1n 7h3 Un173d 57@735 wh3n @7&7 b3g@n 1mpl3m3n71ng @u70m@71c 5w17ch1ng 5y573m5. 7h3 d15c0v3ry by J03 3ngr3551@ (l@73r kn0wn @5 J0yBubbl35) 7h@7 @ 2600 Hz 70n3 c0uld m@n1pul@73 l0ng-d157@nc3 7runk l1n35 0p3n3d up @ r3@lm 0f p0551b1l1713s f0r 3xpl0r@710n.^[5] 7h3 n070r10u5 "blu3 b0x" d3v1c3, p0pul@r1z3d by J0hn Dr@p3r (C@p7@1n Crunch), b3c@m3 7h3 70013m1c 4r71f@c7 0f 7h15 3r@.

Cr171c@lly, 7h3 phr3@k c0mmun17y 3574bl15h3d 53v3r@l pr@c71c35 7h@7 w0uld l@73r ch@r@c73r1z3 1337 cul7ur3:

1. 7h3 U53 0f H@ndl35: Phr3@k5 0p3r@73d und3r p53ud0nym5, cr3@71ng @l73rn@73 1d3n71713s 7h@7 5h13ld3d 7h31r r3@l-w0rld 1d3n71713s.

2. 7h3 3l173/N00b D1ch070my: @ cl3@r h13r@rchy 3x1573d b37w33n 3xp3r73 @nd n0v1c35, w17h 5k1ll @nd kn0wl3dg3 @5 7h3 pr1m@ry m37r1c5 0f 57@7u5.

3. 0bfusc@710n @5 Pr@c71c3: Phr3@k5 l3@rn3d 70 c0mmun1c@73 1n w@y5 7h@7 3v@d3d 5urv31ll@nc3 @nd d373c710n.

4. 7h3 3xch@ng3 0f 73chn1c@l Kn0wl3dg3: N3w5l3773r5 l1k3 Y1PL (Y0u7h 1n73rn@710n@l P@r7y L1n3) @nd l@73r 7@P (73chn0l0g1c@l 4m3r1c@n P@r7y) 53rv3d @5 d1557r1bu710n ch@nn3l5 f0r 73chn1c@l 1nf0rm@710n.^[6]

7h3 73rm "phr3@k" 175elf d3m0n57r@735 3@rly l1ngu1571c pl@y—@ p0r7m@n73@u 0f "ph0n3" @nd "fr3@k" 7h@7 @l50 3v0k35 7h3 w0rd "fr33." 7h15 k1nd 0f cun71ng l1ngu1571c m@n1pul@710n w0uld b3c0m3 c3n7r@l 70 1337 cul7ur3. 7h3 5ub571u710n 0f "f" w17h "ph" (@ n0d 70 "ph0n3") b3c@m3 0n3 0f 7h3 3@rl1357 @nd m057 3ndur1ng 1337 c0nv3n710n5.

3. 7H3 B1R7H 0F 1337: BB5 3R@ (1980-1995)

7h3 7ru3 b1r7hpl@c3 0f 1337sp34k w@5 7h3 Bull371n B0@rd 5y573m.^[7] BB53s w3r3 c0mpu73r 53rv3r5 7h@7 @ll0w3d u53r5 70 c0nn3c7 v1@ m0d3m5, @cc355 f1l35, p0s7 m3ss@g35, @nd p@r71c1p@73 1n d15cuss10n5. 7h353 5y573m5 w3r3 0f73n 0p3r@73d by h0bby1575 fr0m 7h31r h0m35, w17h 3@ch BB5 73nd1ng 70 c3n73r @r0und p@r71cul@r 1n73r3575 0r c0mmun1713s.

W17h1n BB5 cul7ur3, @ h13r@rchy 0f u53r @cc355 3m3rg3d. "3l173" 57@7u5 gr@n73d @cc355 70 pr3m1um c0n73n7—0f73n 1nclud1ng cr@ck3d 50f7w@r3, h@ck1ng 70o15, @nd 3xclus1v3 d1scuss10n @r3@5. 7h3 5y5r3m 0p3r@70r (5y50p) c0n7r0ll3d @cc355, @nd g@1n1ng 3l173 57@7u5 r3qu1r3d d3m0n57r@71ng 73chn1c@l c0mp373nc3 0r c0n7r1bu71ng v@lu@bl3 c0n73n7.

7h3 Cul7 0f 7h3 D3@d C0w

7h3 Cul7 0f 7h3 D3@d C0w (cDc), f0und3d 1n Jun3 1984 1n Lubb0ck, 73x@5, 15 w1d3ly cr3d173d w17h c01n1ng 7h3 73rm "31337" @5 @n @l73rn@71v3 5p3ll1ng 0f "3l373."^[8] 7h3 gr0up—f0und3d @7 7h3 F@rm P@c 5l@ugh73rh0u53 by Gr@ndm@573r R@773', Fr@nk3n G1b3, @nd 51d V1c10u5—b3c@m3 0n3 0f 7h3 m057 1nflu3n71@l h@ck3r c0ll3c71v35 1n h1570ry.

7h3 cDc's 73x7 f1l35 (7-f1l35) d3m0n57r@73 7h3 3@rly 3v0lu710n 0f 1337. 7h353 publ1c@710n5 bl3nd3d 73chn1c@l 1nf0rm@710n w17h hum0r, 5@71r3, @nd pr0v0c@71v3 c0n73n7. 7h3 gr0up cl@1m5 70 h@v3 1nv3n73d 7h3 3-z1n3 f0rm@7, wh1ch w0uld b3c0m3 7h3 pr1m@ry m3d1um f0r d1553m1n@71ng h@ck3r kn0wl3dg3 @nd cul7ur3.^[9]

3v@510n @nd 0bfusc@710n

0n3 pr1m@ry func710n 0f 3@rly 1337 w@5 3v@510n. 3@rly BB5 5y573m5 3mpl0y3d rud1m3n7@ry 73x7 f1l73r5 70 5c@n f0r k3yw0rd5 r3l@73d 70 1ll3g@l @c71v17135—h@ck1ng, cr@ck1ng, w@r3z (p1r@73d 50f7w@r3), @nd 0th3r f0rb1dd3n 70p1c5. By sub571u71ng l3773r5 w17h numb3r5 0r 5ymb0l5, u53r5 c0uld d15cu55 7h353 70p1c5 wh1l3 3v@d1ng @u70m@73d d373c710n.^[10]

F0r 3x@mpl3:

• "H@ck3r" b3c@m3 "h4x0r" 0r "|-|4><0r"
• "Cr@ck3r" b3c@m3 "cr4ck0r" 0r "kr@k@"
• "W@r35" b3c@m3 "w4r3z" 0r "//@r3z"

H0w3v3r, 50m3 5ch0l@r5, n07@bly J@50n 5c077 0f 7h3 73x7f1l35.c0m @rch1v3, h@v3 qu35710n3d wh37h3r f1l73r 3v@510n w@5 7ru1y 7h3 pr1m@ry m071v@710n, n071ng 7h@7 m@ny 3@rly BB535 l@ck3d 50ph1571c@73d f1l73r1ng 5y573m5.^[11] 1n573@d, 1337 m@y h@v3 53rv3d pr1m@r1ly @5 @ m@rk3r 0f 1n-gr0up 1d3n717y—@ 5h1bb0l37h 7h@7 d3m0n57r@73d cul7ur@l flu3ncy @nd 73chn1c@l 50ph1571c@710n.

7h3 D3m05c3n3 @nd W@r3z Cul7ur3

7h3 d3m05c3n3—@ 5ubcul7ur3 f0cu53d 0n cr3@71ng @ud10v15u@l d3m0n57r@710n5 0f pr0gr@mm1ng 5k1ll—3m3rg3d fr0m 7h3 5@m3 m1l13u @5 1337sp34k.^[12] 0r1g1n@71ng 1n 7h3 "cr@ck7r05" 7h@7 @cc0mp@n13d p1r@73d 50f7w@r3, 7h3 d3m05c3n3 5h@r3d m@ny cul7ur@l 7r@175 w17h h@ck3r c0mmun1713s, 1nclud1ng 7h3 u53 0f h@ndl35, gr0up @ff1l1@710n5, @nd 1337 l1ngu1571c c0nv3n710n5.

7h3 73rm "w@r3z" 175elf d3m0n57r@735 1337 pr1nc1pl35: 7h3 5ub571u710n 0f 7h3 "s" w17h "z" @nd 7h3 7runc@710n 0f "(50f7)w@r35" 70 "w@r3z." 7h15 73rm b3c@m3 7h3 57@nd@rd d351gn@710n f0r p1r@73d 50f7w@r3 w17h1n und3rgr0und c0mmun1713s, d3m0n57r@71ng h0w 1337 c0nv3n710n5 c0uld cr3@73 3n71r3ly n3w v0c@bul@ry.

4. 0R7H0GR@PH1C 5Y573M5: 7H3 L1NGU1571C5 0F 1337

1337sp34k 15 n07 @ m0n0l17h1c 5y573m bu7 r@7h3r @ 5p3c7rum 0f 0r7h0gr@ph1c pr@c71c35, r@ng1ng fr0m 51mpl3 5ub571u710n5 70 h1ghly c0mpl3x 3nc0d1ng5 7h@7 r3nd3r 73x7 n3@rly 1ll3g1bl3 70 7h3 un1n171@73d.

B@51c 1337 (50f7 1337)

7h3 m057 @cc35s1bl3 l3v3l 1nv0lv35 51mpl3 l3773r-70-numb3r 5ub571u710n5 b@53d 0n v15u@l r353mbl@nc3:

F0r 3x@mpl3: "3L173" b3c0m35 "3L173" 0r "3l173"

1n73rm3d1@73 1337

M0r3 @dv@nc3d f0rm5 1nc0rp0r@73 @dd1710n@l 5ub571u710n5:

H@rdc0r3 1337 (U17r@ 1337)

7h3 m057 3x7r3m3 f0rm5 r3pl@c3 v1r7u@lly 3v3ry ch@r@c73r w17h c0mpl3x 5ymb0l c0mb1n@710n5, r3nd3r1ng 7h3 73x7 n3@rly unr3@d@bl3 3xc3p7 70 7h053 d33ply fl3un7 1n 7h3 5y573m:

"|-|4><0R" = "H4ck3r" "//@573R" = "M@573r" "0|/|F6" = "0MFG" (0h My F***1ng G0d)

M0rph0l0g1c@l 1nn0v@710n5

B3y0nd 0r7h0gr@phy, 1337 d3v3l0p3d un1qu3 m0rph0l0g1c@l p@773rn5:^[13]

7h3 -x0r/-z0r 5uff1x: D3r1v3d fr0m 7h3 3ngl15h "-3r" @g3n71v3 5uff1x, 7h15 b3c@m3 @ pr0duc71v3 m0rph3m3 1n 1337:

• "H@ck3r" → "h4x0r"
• "5uck5" → "5ux0r"
• "R0ck5" → "r0xx0rz"

7h3 -@g3 5uff1x: U53d 70 d3r1v3 n0un5 fr0m v3rb5:

• "0wn" → "0wn@g3" (pwn@g3)
• "H@ck" → "h@ck@g3"

7h3 "73h" @r71cl3: @ d3l1b3r@73 m15sp3ll1ng 0f "7h3" 7h@7 b3c@m3 @ 5h1bb0l37h 0f 1337 fl3unc3y:

• "7h3 b357" → "73h b357"
• "7h15 15 73h pwnz0rz"

5. K3Y V0C@BUL@RY: 7H3 L3X1C0N 0F 1337

53v3r@l 73rm5 3m3rg3d w17h1n 1337 cul7ur3 7h@7 7r@nc3nd3d m3r3 0r7h0gr@ph1c 5ub571u710n 70 b3c0m3 cul7ur@l k3yw0rd5:

PWN3D

P3rh@p5 7h3 m057 f@m0u5 1337 73rm, "pwn3d" (pr0n0unc3d "p0n3d" 0r "p0wn3d") 0r1g1n@73d @5 @ 7yp0gr@ph1c@l 3rr0r.^[14] 7h3 "p" @nd "0" k3y5 @r3 @dj@c3n7 0n 574nd@rd QW3R7Y k3yb0@rd5, l3@d1ng 70 fr3qu3n7 m157yp1ng 0f "0wn3d" @5 "pwn3d." R@7h3r 7h@n c0rr3c71ng 7h15 3rr0r, 7h3 c0mmun17y 3mbr@c3d 17.

0n3 p0pul@r 3710l0gy @77r1bu735 7h3 73rm 70 @ m15sp3ll1ng 1n @ W@rcr@f7 m@p wh3r3 7h3 d3f3@7 m355@g3 r3@d "Y0u h@v3 b33n pwn3d" 1n573@d 0f "0wn3d."^[15] R3g@rdl355 0f 0r1g1n, "pwn3d" 3v0lv3d 70 c0nn073 n07 ju57 d3f3@7 bu7 @bj3c7 hum1l1@710n—@ m0r3 1n73n53 f0rm 7h@n m3r3 "0wn1ng."

7h3 73rm h@5 51nc3 3n73r3d m@1n57r3@m d15c0ur53, m057 n07@bly 7hr0ugh 7r0y Hun7'5 "H@v3 1 B33n Pwn3d" w3bs173, wh1ch 7r@ck5 d@7@ br3@ch35 @nd c0mpr0m153d cr3d3n71@l5.^[16]

N00B / N3WB13

D3r1v3d fr0m "n3wb13" (n3w b3g1nn3r), "n00b" b3c@m3 @ d3r0g@70ry 73rm f0r 1n3xp3r13nc3d 0r un5k1ll3d u53r5.^[17] 7h3 73rm 3574bl15h35 7h3 3l173/n0v1c3 d1ch070my c3n7r@l 70 1337 cul7ur3. 1mp0r7@n7ly, "n00b" c@rr135 c0nn07@710n5 b3y0nd m3r3 1n3xp3r13nc3—17 5ugg3575 @n unwill1ngn355 0r 1n@b1l17y 70 l3@rn, @ p3rm@n3n7 r@7h3r 7h@n 73mp0r@ry 57@7u5.

W00T

4n 3xcl@m@710n 0f 7r1umph 0r j0y, "w00t" h@5 d15pu73d 0r1g1n5.^[18] 50m3 5ugg357 17 d3r1v35 fr0m "W3 0wn3d 7h3 07h3r 73@m" (W.0.0.7), wh1l3 07h3r5 @rgu3 17 51mply 3v0lv3d fr0m v0c@l 3xcl@m@710n5 0f 3xc173m3n7. 7h3 73rm 3x3mpl1f135 h0w 1337 cul7ur3 c0uld g3n3r@73 3n71r3ly n3w v0c@bul@ry r@7h3r 7h@n m3r3ly 3nc0d1ng 3x1571ng w0rd5.

L0L, R0FL, LM40

4cr0nym5 f0r "L@ugh1ng 0u7 L0ud," "R0ll1ng 0n Fl00r L@ugh1ng," @nd "L@ugh1ng My @55 0ff" r3sp3c71v3ly.^[19] 7h353 73rm5 0r1g1n@73d 1n BB5 @nd 3@rly 1n73rn37 ch@7 cul7ur3, pr0v1d1ng 73x7u@l 3qu1v@l3n75 f0r 3m0710n@l 3xpr355i0n5 7h@7 c0uld n07 b3 c0nv3y3d 7hr0ugh w0rd5 @l0n3. 7h31r 1337 v@r1@n75 (l0l, r0fl, lm@0) d3m0n57r@73 h0w 3v3n @bbr3v1@710n5 c0uld und3rg0 1337 7r@n5f0rm@710n.

0MG / 0MFG

"0h My G0d" @nd "0h My F***1ng G0d"—3xcl@m@710n5 0f 5urpr153 0r d15b3l13f 7h@7 b3c@m3 574pl35 0f 0nl1n3 c0mmun1c@710n.^[20] 7h3 1337 r3nd3r1ng5 (0MG, 0MF6) d3m0n57r@73 h0w 3v3n 3m071c @bbr3v1@710n5 c0uld b3 1nc0rp0r@73d 1n70 7h3 l1ngu1571c 5y573m.

6. 7H3 G4M1NG 3R4: D1FFU510N @ND 7R4N5F0RM@710N (1995-2005)

7h3 l@73 1990s @nd 3@rly 2000s w17n3553d 7h3 m@55 d1ffu510n 0f 1337 fr0m 175 BB5 0r1g1n5 1n70 7h3 br0@d3r g@m1ng c0mmun17y.^[21] 7h15 3xp@n510n w@5 dr1v3n by 53v3r@l f@c70r5:

7h3 R153 0f Mul71pl@y3r G@m1ng

G@m35 l1k3 Qu@k3 (1996), 57@rCr@f7 (1998), @nd C0un73r-57r1k3 (1999) cr3@73d m@551v3 0nl1n3 c0mmun1713s wh3r3 r@p1d 73x7 c0mmun1c@710n w@5 3553n71@l.^[22] 7h3 ch@7 1n73rf@c35 0f 7h353 g@m35 3nc0ur@g3d br3v17y, @nd 1337 pr0v1d3d @ r3@dy-m@d3 l1ngu1571c 5y573m f0r qu1ck c0mmun1c@710n.

1n 7h353 c0n73x75, 1337 53rv3d mul71pl3 func710n5:

• 5p33d: 5h0r7h@nd n07@710n5 @ll0w3d f@573r 7yp1ng dur1ng g@m3pl@y
• 1d3n717y: 1337 u5@g3 51gn@l3d m3mb3r5h1p 1n 7h3 "h@rdc0r3" g@m1ng c0mmun17y
• 7@un71ng: 1337 pr0v1d3d @ r1ch v0c@bul@ry f0r 7r@5h 7@lk @nd 73@m c0mmun1c@710n

Cul7ur@l 5ymb0l5: Fr0m 51gn1f13r 70 51gn1f13d

Dur1ng 7h15 p3r10d, 1337 und3rw3n7 @ cul7ur@l 7r@n5f0rm@710n. Wh@7 h@d b33n @ pr@c71c@l 700l f0r 0bfusc@710n b3c@m3 @ cul7ur@l m@rk3r—@ w@y 0f 51gn@l1ng @ff1l1@710n w17h g@m1ng @nd h@ck3r cul7ur35.^[23] 7h3 numb3r "1337" 175elf b3c@m3 @ 7073m1c 5ymb0l, @pp3@r1ng 1n u53rn@m35, l1c3ns3 pl@735, @nd @5 @ cul7ur@l r3f3r3nc3.

G00gl3'5 Vuln3r@b1l17y R3w@rd Pr0gr@m, f0r 3x@mpl3, 0ff3r5 m@x1mum r3w@rd5 0f $31,337—@ d3l1b3r@73 n0d 70 h@ck3r cul7ur3 7h@7 d3m0n57r@735 h0w 1337 h@5 b33n 1nc0rp0r@73d 1n70 m@1n57r3@m 73ch c0mmun1c@710n.^[24]

Pur3 Pwn@g3 @nd M@1n57r3@m P3n37r@710n

7h3 2004 w3b 53r135 "Pur3 Pwn@g3," cr3@73d by C@n@d1@n c0m3d1@n5, br0ugh7 1337 cul7ur3 70 @ br0@d3r @ud13nc3.^[25] 7h3 m0ckum3n7@ry 53r135 f0ll0w3d @ 53lf-pr0cl@1m3d "pr0 g@m3r" @nd s@71r1z3d g@m3r cul7ur3 wh1l3 51mul7@n30u5ly c3l3br@71ng 17. By 2006, hundr3d5 0f 7h0u5@nd5 0f v13w3r5 h@d w@7ch3d 7h3 53r135 0n Y0u7ub3, c3m3n71ng 1337's pl@c3 1n p0pul@r cul7ur3.

7. 7H3 L1NGU1571C F055111Z@710N: 1337 @5 P37R1BY73

Fr0m @n @rch430by70l0g1c@l p3r5p3c71v3, c0n73mp0r@ry 1337 3xh1b175 ch@r@c73r1571c5 0f @ p37r1by73—@ f0551l1z3d d1g174l @r71f@c7 wh053 0r1g1n@l c0n73x7 h@5 b33n l057 0r 7r@n5f0rm3d.^[26]

D3c0n73x7u@l1z@710n

7h3 0r1g1n@l c0n73x75 7h@7 g@v3 r153 70 1337—BB5 5y573m5, 3@rly h@ck3r c0mmun1713s, d1@l-up 1n73rn37—h@v3 l@rg3ly d15@pp3@r3d. Y0ung3r 1n73rn37 u53r5 m@y 3nc0un73r 1337 w17h0u7 und3r57@nd1ng 175 h1570r1c@l 51gn1f1c@nc3, 7r3@71ng 17 @5 @ cul7ur@l cur10517y r@7h3r 7h@n @ l1v1ng l1ngu1571c pr@c71c3.

1r0n1c D157@nc3

Muc|-| c0n73mp0r@ry u5@g3 0f 1337 15 1r0n1c 0r n057@lg1c r@7h3r 7h@n func710n@l.^[27] U53r5 m@y 3mpl0y 1337 c0nv3n710n5 70 3v0k3 3@rly 1n73rn37 cul7ur3, 0f73n 1n @ hum0r0u5 0r 53lf-@w@r3 m@nn3r. 7h15 5h1f7 fr0m 51nc3r3 70 1r0n1c u5@g3 m@rk5 @ 51gn1f1c@n7 7r@n5f0rm@710n 1n 7h3 cul7ur@l m3@n1ng 0f 1337.

C0rp0r@73 C0-0p7@710n

1337 h@5 b33n 1nc0rp0r@73d 1n70 m@rk371ng @nd c0rp0r@73 c0mmun1c@710n, 0f73n 1n w@y5 7h@7 57r1p 17 0f 175 5ubv3rs1v3 c0n73n7.^[28] Br@nd5 @773mp71ng 70 @pp3@l 70 73ch-5@vvy @ud13nc35 m@y 3mpl0y 1337 c0nv3n710n5, bu7 7h15 u5@g3 0f73n c0m35 @cr055 @5 1n@u7h3n71c 0r c0nd35c3nd1ng 70 7h053 f@m1l1@r w17h 7h3 cul7ur3's 0r1g1n5.

8. 1337 @5 CUL7UR@L H3R174G3: PR353RV@710N @ND L3G@CY

D35p173 175 f0551l1z3d 57@7u5, 1337 r3m@1n5 @ v17@l p@r7 0f d1g174l cul7ur@l h3r17@g3. 175 1nflu3nc3 c@n b3 53n 1n 53v3r@l @r3@5:

P@55w0rd Pr@c71c35

7h3 pr@c71c3 0f 5ub571u71ng l3773r5 w17h numb3r5 @nd 5ymb0l5 1n p@55w0rd5 d3r1v35 d1r3c7ly fr0m 1337 c0nv3n710n5.^[29] Wh3n u53r5 cr3@73 p@55w0rd5 l1k3 "P@55w0rd1!" 0r "H3ll0W0rld!", 7h3y @r3 3ng@g1ng 1n @ f0rm 0f 1337 5ub571u710n. 7h15 r3pr353n75 p3rh@p5 7h3 m057 w1d35pr3@d @nd l@571ng 1mp@c7 0f 1337 0n 3v3ryd@y d1g174l pr@c71c35.

C0n73n7 F1l73r 3v@510n

7h3 0r1g1n@l func710n 0f 1337—3v@d1ng 73x7 f1l73r5—r3m@1n5 r3l3v@n7 1n c0n73mp0r@ry 0nl1n3 c0n73x75.^[30] U53r5 0n 50c1@l m3d1@ pl@7f0rm5 m@y 3mpl0y 1337-57yl3 5ub571u710n5 70 byp@55 c0n73n7 m0d3r@710n 5y573m5, @l7h0ugh 50ph1571c@73d m0d3rn @lg0r17hm5 @r3 1ncr3@51ngly c@p@bl3 0f d373c71ng 5uch v@r1@710n5.

1n73rn37 M3m3 Cul7ur3

1337 h3lp3d 3574bl15h m@ny 0f 7h3 c0nv3n710n5 7h@7 w0uld l@73r ch@r@c73r1z3 1n73rn37 m3m3 cul7ur3:^[31]

• D3l1b3r@73 m15sp3ll1ng5 @nd 7yp0gr@ph1c@l 3rr0r5 @5 57yl1571c ch01c35
• 7h3 bl3nd1ng 0f 73x7 @nd v15u@l 3l3m3n75
• 7h3 cr3@710n 0f 1n-gr0up v0c@bul@ry @nd r3f3r3nc35
• 7h3 3mbr@c3 0f @b5urd17y @nd hum0r

L@73r ph3n0m3n@ l1k3 "L0L5p3@k" (7h3 l@ngu@g3 0f L0LC@75 1m@g3 m@cr05) @nd "D0gg0L1ng0" c@n b3 53n @5 l1ngu1571c d35c3nd@n75 0f 1337, 3mpl0y1ng 51m1l@r pr1nc1pl35 0f d3l1b3r@73 m15sp3ll1ng @nd cul7ur@lly-5p3c1f1c v0c@bul@ry.

9. 7H30R371C@L FR@M3W0RK5: UND3R57@ND1NG 1337

53v3r@l 7h30r371c@l fr@m3w0rk5 @r3 u53ful f0r und3r57@nd1ng 1337 @5 @ l1ngu1571c @nd cul7ur@l ph3n0m3n0n:

5h1bb0l37h 7h30ry

4 5h1bb0l37h 15 @ l1ngu1571c f3@7ur3 7h@7 d1571ngu15h35 m3mb3r5 0f 0n3 gr0up fr0m @n07h3r.^[32] 1337 func710n3d @5 @ 5h1bb0l37h 1n 53v3r@l w@y5:

• 1d3n71f1c@710n: 1337 fl3unc3y 1d3n71f13d u53r5 @5 m3mb3r5 0f h@ck3r/g@m3r c0mmun1713s
• 3xclu510n: 7h053 un@bl3 70 r3@d 0r pr0duc3 1337 w3r3 m@rk3d @5 0u7s1d3r5
• H13r@rchy: Pr0f1c13ncy 1n m0r3 c0mpl3x 1337 v@r1@n75 51gn@l3d h1gh3r 57@7u5

5ubc ul7ur@l C@p17@l

P13rr3 B0urd13u'5 c0nc3p7 0f cul7ur@l c@p17@l c@n b3 @ppl13d 70 1337.^[33] W17h1n h@ck3r @nd g@m3r c0mmun1713s, 1337 pr0f1c13ncy r3pr353n73d @ f0rm 0f 5ubc ul7ur@l c@p17@l—@ r350ur73 7h@7 c0uld b3 3xch@ng3d f0r 57@7u5, @cc355, @nd r3c0gn1710n w17h1n 7h3 c0mmun17y.

R351574nc3 @nd C0-0p7@710n

1337 c@n b3 und3r5700d @5 @ f0rm 0f l1ngu1571c r351574nc3 70 d0m1n@n7 cul7ur3.^[34] By cr3@71ng @n @l73rn@71v3 l1ngu1571c 5y573m, u53r5 @553r73d @u70n0my @nd cr3@73d 5p@c35 0u751d3 m@1n57r3@m 5urv31ll@nc3. 7h3 5ub53qu3n7 c0-0p7@710n 0f 1337 by m@1n57r3@m cul7ur3 d3m0n57r@735 7h3 pr3d1c7@bl3 p@773rn by wh1ch 5ubcul7ur@l pr@c71c35 @r3 @b50rb3d @nd n3u7r@l1z3d.

10. C@53 57UD135: 1337 1N 4C710N

70 fully @ppr3c1@73 7h3 cul7ur@l d3p7h 0f 1337sp34k, w3 mu57 3x@m1n3 5p3c1f1c 1n574nc35 wh3r3 17 h@5 b33n d3pl0y3d, 7r@n5f0rm3d, @nd c0n73573d.

C@53 57udy 1: 7h3 L3g10n 0f D00m/M@573r5 0f D3c3p710n C0nfl1c7

7h3 l@73 1980s @nd 3@rly 1990s w17n3553d @ f@m0u5 r1v@lry b37w33n 7w0 h@ck3r gr0up5: 7h3 L3g10n 0f D00m (L0D) @nd M@573r5 0f D3c3p710n (M0D).^[36] 7h15 c0nfl1c7, wh1ch pl@y3d 0u7 @cr055 BB5 5y573m5 @nd 3v3n7u@lly @77r@c73d F3d3r@l 1nv35716@710n, pr0v1d35 @ r1ch c0rpus 0f 3@rly 1337 u5@g3.

7h3 73x7 f1l35 pr0duc3d dur1ng 7h15 3r@ d3m0n57r@73 h0w 1337 func710n3d @5 b07h @ pr@c71c@l c0mmun1c@710n 700l @nd @ m@rk3r 0f gr0up 1d3n717y. 7h3 5p3c1f1c c0nv3n710n5 @d0p73d by 3@ch gr0up—7h31r un1qu3 5p3ll1ng v@r1@n75, pr3f3rr3d 5ymb0l 5ub571u710n5, @nd ch@r@c73r1571c phr@535—53rv3d 70 d1ff3r3n71@73 m3mb3r5 fr0m b07h 0u7s1d3r5 @nd r1v@l5.

Cr171c@lly, n317h3r 7h3 Cul7 0f 7h3 D3@d C0w n0r 175 m3mb3r5 700k 51d35 1n 7h15 c0nfl1c7—@ d3c1510n 7h@7 r3fl3c73d 7h31r und3r57@nd1ng 7h@7 1n73rn@l w@rf@r3 @nd @77r@c71ng l@w 3nf0rc3m3n7 @773n710n w0uld h@rm 7h3 br0@d3r c0mmun17y.^[37]

C@53 57udy 2: 7h3 B@ck 0r1f1c3 R3l3@53

1n 1998, 7h3 Cul7 0f 7h3 D3@d C0w r3l3@53d B@ck 0r1f1c3, @ r3m073 @dm1n15r@710n 700l d351gn3d 70 3xp053 53cur17y w3@kn35535 1n M1cr050f7 W1nd0w5 98.^[38] 7h3 700l'5 n@m3 175elf 3mpl0y5 1337 pr1nc1pl35—@ d3l1b3r@73ly 5ubv3r51v3 pun 0n M1cr050f7'5 "B@ck0ff1c3" pr0duc7 l1n3.

7h3 @nn0unc3m3n7 @nd d0cum3n7@710n f0r B@ck 0r1f1c3, r3l3@53d @7 D3FC0N 6 1n L@5 V3g@5, d3m0n57r@735 h0w 1337 c0uld b3 3mpl0y3d 1n @ 53r10u5 73chn1c@l c0n73x7 wh1l3 m@1n7@1n1ng 175 5ubv3r51v3 3dg3. 7h3 5ub53qu3n7 B@ck 0r1f1c3 2000 (B02K) c0n71nu3d 7h15 7r@d1710n.

C@53 57udy 3: 0p3r@710n 5und3v1l @nd 0p3r@710n F@57l1nk

7h3 U.5. 53cr37 53rv1c3'5 0p3r@710n 5und3v1l (1990) @nd 7h3 FB1/1n73rp0l'5 0p3r@710n F@57l1nk (2004) 7@rg373d h@ck3r @nd w@r3z c0mmun1713s.^[39] 7h3 l3g@l d0cum3n75 @nd m3d1@ c0v3r@g3 fr0m 7h353 0p3r@710n5 0f73n 1nclud3d @773mp75 70 3xpl@1n 0r 7r@n5l@73 1337 f0r m@1n57r3@m @ud13nc35—0f73n w17h c0m1c@lly 1n@ccur@73 r35ul75.

7h353 3v3n75 m@rk3d 51gn1f1c@n7 m0m3n75 1n 7h3 r3l@710n5h1p b37w33n 1337 cul7ur3 @nd m@1n57r3@m 50c137y. 7h3 d3m05c3n3, 1n p@r71cul@r, b3g@n @gr3551v3ly d157@nc1ng 175elf fr0m 50f7w@r3 p1r@cy dur1ng 7h15 p3r10d, 3mph@51z1ng 175 cr3@71v3 @nd @r71571c d1m3n510n5 0v3r 175 w@r3z-@dj@c3n7 h1570ry.

C@53 57udy 4: 1337 1n M0d3rn 3-5p0r75

7h3 r153 0f c0mp3717173 g@m1ng h@5 g1v3n 1337 @ n3w l1f3 1n pr0f3ss10n@l @nd 53m1-pr0f3ss10n@l c0n73x75.^[40] 7w17ch ch@7, D15c0rd 53rv3r5, @nd g@m1ng f0rum5 c0n71nu3 70 3mpl0y 1337 c0nv3n710n5, 7h0ugh 0f73n 1n @bbr3v1@73d 0r 1r0n1c f0rm5.

Pr0f3ss10n@l g@m1ng 0rg@n1z@710n5 0f73n 1nc0rp0r@73 1337 3l3m3n75 1n70 7h31r br@nd1ng—73@m n@m35, l0g05, @nd m3rch@nd153 fr3qu3n7ly f3@7ur3 1337 0r7h0gr@phy. 7h15 r3pr353n75 @ f@5c1n@71ng c@53 0f 5ubcul7ur@l l@ngu@g3 b31ng 1n571tu710n@l1z3d @nd c0mm3rc1@l1z3d wh1l3 571ll m@1n7@1n1ng 50m3 0f 175 0r1g1n@l m3@n1ng.

11. 7H30R371C@L D33P D1V3: 5P@71@L17Y @ND 7H3 D1G174L

1337 0ff3r5 @ un1qu3 c@53 f0r und3r57@nd1ng 7h3 5p@71@l17y 0f d1g174l cul7ur3. Unl1k3 7r@d1710n@l l@ngu@g3 v@r1@710n, wh1ch 15 7yp1c@lly g30gr@ph1c@lly b0und3d, 1337 3m3rg3d 1n @nd w@5 7r@n5m1773d 7hr0ugh 7h3 d3-73rr170r1@l1z3d 5p@c3 0f 3@rly n37w0rk5.

7h3 BB5 @5 D1g174l P0l15

7h3 Bull371n B0@rd 5y573m c@n b3 und3r5700d @5 @ f0rm 0f d1g174l p0l15—@ 53lf-c0n7@1n3d c0mmun17y w17h 175 0wn g0v3rn@nc3, n0rm5, @nd l1ngu1571c pr@c71c35.^[41] 3@ch BB5 func710n3d @5 @ d1573r1bu73d c17y-57@73, w17h 7h3 5y50p @5 b0und3d m0n@rch @nd u53r5 @5 c171z3n5 wh053 57@7u5 d3p3nd3d 0n 7h31r c0n7r1bu710n5 @nd b3h@v10r.

1337 func710n3d @5 7h3 l1ngu@ fr@nc@ 0f 7h15 d1573r1bu73d n37w0rk 0f p0l1713s. @ u53r wh0 m@573r3d 1337 c0uld m0v3 b37w33n BB535 w17h @ r3@dy-m@d3 cr3d3n71@l 0f cul7ur@l c0mp373nc3. 7h15 p0r7@b1l17y 0f l1ngu1571c c@p17@l d1571ngu15h35 1337 fr0m 73rr170ry-b0und d1@l3c75.

H@ndl35 @nd 1d3n717y

7h3 pr@c71c3 0f @d0p71ng "h@ndl35" (p53ud0nym5) 1n73r53c75 w17h 1337 1n f@5c1n@71ng w@y5.^[42] H@ndl35 0f73n 1nc0rp0r@73d 1337 c0nv3n710n5—"D4rk_L0rd," "Ph4n70m_H4x0r," "3l173_5n1p3r"—b3c0m1ng @ f0rm 0f p3rf0rm@71v3 1d3n717y 7h@7 bl3nd3d l1ngu1571c @nd v15u@l 3l3m3n75.

7h353 h@ndl35 r3pr353n73d @ f0rm 0f d1g174l m@5k1ng—7h3 cr3@710n 0f @l73rn@73 p3r50n@5 7h@7 3x1573d 0nly w17h1n n37w0rk 5p@c35. 7h3 1337 3l3m3n75 0f h@ndl35 51gn@l3d @ff1l1@710n w17h 7h3 br0@d3r h@ck3r/g@m3r cul7ur3 wh1l3 7h3 5p3c1f1c ch01c35—wh1ch 5ub571u710n5, wh1ch 5ymb0l5, wh1ch r3f3r3nc35—1nd1c@73d m0r3 gr@nul@r 5ubcul7ur@l p0517i0n1ng.

7h3 Pr0bl3m 0f @rch1v1ng

@5 d1g174l @rch@30l0g1575, w3 f@c3 51gn1f1c@n7 ch@ll3ng35 1n pr353rv1ng @nd 57udy1ng 1337 @r71f@c75.^[43] M@ny 3@rly BB5 5y573m5 h@v3 b33n l057 3n71r3ly—7h31r h@rd dr1v35 0v3rwr1773n, 7h31r ph0n3 l1n35 d15c0nn3c73d, 7h31r c0n73n75 5c@773r3d 0r d357r0y3d.

7h3 @rch1v35 7h@7 d0 3x157—n07@bly J@50n 5c077'5 73x7f1l35.c0m @nd 7h3 1n73rn37 @rch1v3—pr353rv3 0nly @ fr@c710n 0f 7h3 0r1g1n@l m@73r1@l. M0r30v3r, 7h353 @rch1v35 0f73n l@ck 7h3 c0n73x7u@l 1nf0rm@710n n3c355@ry 70 fully und3r57@nd 7h3 @r71f@c75—7h3 50c1@l n37w0rk5, 7h3 7r@n5m1ss10n p@7h5, 7h3 u53 c0n73x75.

7h15 l055 r3pr353n75 @ f0rm 0f cul7ur@l 7r@um@—7h3 d15@pp3@r@nc3 0f 3n71r3 w0rld5 0f m3@n1ng @nd pr@c71c3. 7h3 w0rk 0f d1g174l @rch@30l0gy 15, 1n p@r7, @n @773mp7 70 r3c0n57ruc7 wh@7 c@n b3 r3c0v3r3d @nd 70 @ckn0wl3dg3 wh@7 h@5 b33n 1rr37r13v@bly l057.

12. C0MP@R@71V3 @N@LY515: 1337 @ND 07H3R CR1P7L@NGU@G35

1337 15 n07 un1qu3 1n h1570ry—17 b3l0ng5 70 @ br0@d3r c@73g0ry 0f "cr1p7l@ngu@g35" 0r 5p3c1@l1z3d c0d35 d3v3l0p3d by 5ubcul7ur35 f0r v@r10u5 purp0535.^[44]

H1570r1c@l Pr3c3d3n75

• 7h13v35' C@n7: 3ur0p3@n cr1m1n@l c0mmun1713s d3v3l0p3d 5p3c1@l1z3d v0c@bul@r135 70 c0mmun1c@73 w17h0u7 d373c710n.
• P0l@r1: @ f0rm 0f 5l@ng u53d by LGB7Q+ c0mmun1713s 1n Br17@1n, bl3nd1ng R0m@n1, Y1dd15h, @nd b@ck5l@ng.
• N@v@j0 C0d3 7@lk3r5: N@71v3 l@ngu@g35 u53d @5 unbr3@k@bl3 c0d35 dur1ng W0rld W@r 11.

C0n73mp0r@ry P@r@ll3l5

• @r@b1z1: 7h3 pr@c71c3 0f wr171ng @r@b1c u51ng L@71n ch@r@c73r5 @nd numb3r5, 0f73n 3mpl0y1ng 51m1l@r 5ub571u710n pr1nc1pl35 70 1337.
• Gr33kl15h: Gr33k wr1773n 1n L@71n ch@r@c73r5, 0f73n w17h numb3r 5ub571u710n5.
• 71k70k 5p34k: C0n73mp0r@ry pr@c71c35 0f m0d1fy1ng 73x7 70 3v@d3 c0n73n7 m0d3r@710n @lg0r17hm5.

7h353 c0mp@r150n5 h1ghl1gh7 7h3 un1v3r5@l hum@n 73nd3ncy 70 cr3@73 5p3c1@l1z3d l1ngu1571c c0d35 wh3n c0nfr0n73d w17h 5urv31ll@nc3, c3n50r5h1p, 0r 7h3 d351r3 f0r 1n-gr0up 50l1d@r17y. 1337 15 un1qu3 1n 175 5p3c1f1c@lly d1g174l ch@r@c73r—175 r3l1@nc3 0n @5C11 ch@r@c73r5 @nd 175 0r1g1n5 1n c0mpu73r-m3d1@73d c0mmun1c@710n—bu7 17 5h@r35 d33p 57ruc7ur@l f3@7ur35 w17h 7h353 0ld3r pr@c71c35.

13. 7H3 FU7UR3 0F 1337: PR353RV@710N @ND R3V1V@L

@5 1337 7r@n5710n5 fr0m v1v1by73 70 p37r1by73, qu35710n5 @r153 @b0u7 175 fu7ur3.^[45] W1ll 17 c0mpl373ly f0551l1z3, b3c0m1ng @ h1570r1c@l cur10517y 57ud13d 0nly by d1g174l @rch@30l0g1575? 0r w1ll 17 und3rg0 r3v1v@l, 3v3n 1n 7r@n5f0rm3d f0rm?

7hr3@75 70 Pr353rv@710n

• Pl@7f0rm 0b50l35c3nc3: 7h3 BB5 5y573m5 7h@7 b1r7h3d 1337 @r3 l@rg3ly d3func7.
• @lg0r17hm1c D373c710n: M0d3rn c0n73n7 f1l73r5 c@n 1ncr3@51ngly d373c7 1337 v@r1@710n5.
• G3n3r@710n@l 5h1f75: Y0ung3r 1n73rn37 u53r5 m@y l@ck c0n73x7 f0r und3r57@nd1ng 1337.

P0551b1l1713s f0r R3v1v@l

• N057@lg1@ Cycl35: @5 3@rly 1n73rn37 cul7ur3 b3c0m35 @ 5ubj3c7 0f n057@lg1@, 1337 m@y und3rg0 r37r0 r3v1v@l.
• @r71571c @ppr0pr1@710n: @r71575 @nd d351gn3r5 m@y 1nc0rp0r@73 1337 @357h371c5 1n70 v15u@l w0rk.
• 3duc@710n@l C0n73x75: @5 d1g174l l173r@cy 3duc@710n 3xp@nd5, 1337 m@y b3 7@ugh7 @5 h1570r1c@l 3x@mpl3.

7h3 R0l3 0f D1g174l @rch@30l0gy

7h3 Un3@r7h H3r17@g3 F0undry @nd 51m1l@r 0rg@n1z@710n5 pl@y @ cruc1@l r0l3 1n pr353rv1ng @nd 1n73rpr371ng 1337 cul7ur3. 7hr0ugh 7h3 @rch1v@l @nd @n@ly515 0f d1g174l @r71f@c75—BB5 73x7f1l35, 3-z1n3 @rch1v35, g@m1ng f0rum l0g5—w3 c@n r3c0n57ruc7 7h3 50c1@l w0rld5 1n wh1ch 1337 fl0ur15h3d.

7h15 w0rk 15 n07 m3r3ly @n71qu@r1@n. By und3r57@nd1ng h0w 3@rly 0nl1n3 c0mmun1713s d3v3l0p3d 7h31r 0wn l1ngu1571c pr@c71c35, w3 g@1n 1n51gh75 1n70 7h3 fund@m3n7@l pr0c35535 by wh1ch d1g174l cul7ur35 3m3rg3, 3v0lv3, @nd 7r@n5f0rm.

14. 1337 1N 7H3 4G3 0F @R71F1C1@L 1N73LL1G3NC3

7h3 @dv3n7 0f l@rg3 l@ngu@g3 m0d3l5 (LLM5) @nd @r71f1c1@l 1n73ll1g3nc3 r@1535 n3w qu35710n5 @b0u7 7h3 fu7ur3 0f 1337.^[46] C@n @1 5y573m5 @ccur@73ly 1n73rpr37 @nd g3n3r@73 1337? Wh@7 d035 7h15 m3@n f0r 7h3 cul7ur@l 57@7u5 0f 7h3 l@ngu@g3?

@1 @nd 1337 1n73rpr37@710n

M0d3rn @1 5y573m5 c@n 0f73n 1n73rpr37 b@51c 1337, bu7 57rugg13 w17h m0r3 c0mpl3x v@r1@n75.^[47] 7h15 cr3@735 @n 1n73r3571ng p@r@d0x: @ l@ngu@g3 d351gn3d 70 3v@d3 @u70m@73d d373c710n 15 n0w b31ng pr0c3553d by 1ncr3@51ngly 50ph1571c@73d @lg0r17hm5.

7h3 7r@1n1ng d@7@ f0r m@ny LLM5 1nclud35 1337 @r71f@c75—g@m1ng f0rum5, h@ck3r @rch1v35, 3@rly 1n73rn37 73x75. 7h353 5y573m5 h@v3 7hu5 1n73rn@l1z3d 50m3 1337 c0mp373nc3, 7h0ugh 7h31r @b1l17y 70 pr0duc3 @u7h3n71c 1337 v@r135 w1d3ly.

7h3 5yn7h371c D1@l3c7

1n 0ur 3@rl13r w0rk 0n "7h3 5yn7h371c D1@l3c7," w3 3x@m1n3d h0w @1 5y573m5 d3v3l0p 7h31r 0wn l1ngu1571c p@773rn5—@ f0rm 0f d1g174l 1d10l3c7 7h@7 3m3rg35 fr0m 7r@1n1ng d@7@ bu7 7@k35 0n 175 0wn ch@r@c73r.^[48] 1337, @5 @ h1570r1c@l l@ngu@g3 pr@c71c3 c@p7ur3d 1n 7r@1n1ng d@7@, 1nf0rm5 7h353 5yn7h371c d1@l3c75 1n 5ub7l3 w@y5.

7h3 qu35710n 0f wh37h3r @1 c@n 7ruly "5p3@k" 1337—0r wh37h3r 17 m3r3ly m1m1c5 175 5urf@c3 f3@7ur35 w17h0u7 und3r57@nd1ng 175 cul7ur@l d3p7h—r3m@1n5 0p3n. 7h15 qu35710n m1rr0r5 br0@d3r d3b@735 @b0u7 @1 l@ngu@g3 c0mp373nc3 @nd cul7ur@l und3r57@nd1ng.

15. @ M3D17@710N 0N D1G174L M0R7@L17Y

1337 1nv1735 u5 70 c0nfr0n7 7h3 qu35710n 0f d1g174l m0r7@l17y.^[49] Unl1k3 phy51c@l @r71f@c75, wh1ch d3gr@d3 gr@du@lly 0v3r m1ll3nn1@, d1g174l @r71f@c75 c@n d15@pp3@r 1n57@n7@n30u5ly—wh3n @ 53rv3r 15 w1p3d, @ pl@7f0rm 15 5hu7 d0wn, 0r @ f1l3 f0rm@7 b3c0m35 0b50l373.

7h3 w0rld5 7h@7 g@v3 r153 70 1337—7h3 BB5 5y573m5, 7h3 d1@l-up c0nn3c710n5, 7h3 @5C11 73rm1n@l5—h@v3 l@rg3ly v@n15h3d. 7h31r 1nh@b17@n75 h@v3 m0v3d 0n, @g3d, 0r p@553d @w@y. 7h3 l1ngu1571c pr@c71c35 7h3y d3v3l0p3d 3x157 n0w pr1m@r1ly @5 7r@c35—@rch1v3d 73x7 f1l35, m3m0r135, 3ch035 1n c0n73mp0r@ry 5l@ng.

Y37 7h353 7r@c35 m@773r. 7h3y 73571fy 70 7h3 cr3@71v17y, 7h3 c0mmun17y, 7h3 5ubv3r51v3 j0y 0f 3@rly d1g174l cul7ur3. 7h3y r3m1nd u5 7h@7 7h3 1n73rn37 w@5 0nc3 51mul7@n30u5ly 5m@ll3r @nd w1ld3r—@ pl@c3 wh3r3 5m@ll gr0up5 c0uld cr3@73 3n71r3 w0rld5 0f m3@n1ng.

7h15 355@y 175elf 15 @n 3x3rc153 1n d1g174l m0r7@l17y—@n @773mp7 70 pr353rv3 50m37h1ng 3v3n @5 17 f@d35, 70 5p3@k @ l@ngu@g3 7h@7 15 51mul7@n30u5ly @l1v3 @nd dy1ng. 1n wr171ng @b0u7 1337 1n 1337, w3 p3rf0rm 7h3 v3ry 7h1ng w3 53ek 70 @n@lyz3—cr3@71ng @n @r71f@c7 7h@7 3mb0d135 175 0wn 5ubj3c7.

16. C0NCLU510N: 7H3 3NDUR1NG 51GN1F1C@NC3 0F 1337

1337sp34k r3pr353n75 @ un1qu3 ch@p73r 1n 7h3 h1570ry 0f d1g174l c0mmun1c@710n—@ 5p0n7@n30u5ly 3v0lv3d l1ngu1571c 5y573m 7h@7 53rv3d pr@c71c@l, 50c1@l, @nd 1d3n717y-f0rm1ng func710n5 w17h1n 3@rly 0nl1n3 c0mmun1713s. Fr0m 175 0r1g1n5 1n 7h3 BB5 3r@ 7hr0ugh 175 d1ffu510n 1n70 g@m1ng cul7ur3 @nd b3y0nd, 1337 h@5 l3f7 @n 1nd3l1bl3 m@rk 0n h0w w3 c0mmun1c@73 0nl1n3.

@5 @ d1g174l @rch430l0g1c@l @r71f@c7, 1337 3x3mpl1f135 7h3 pr0c35535 by wh1ch 0nl1n3 cul7ur35 cr3@73 @nd 7r@n5m17 m3@n1ng.^[35] 175 3v0lu710n fr0m pr@c71c@l 700l 70 cul7ur@l 5ymb0l 70 n057@lg1c r3l1c d3m0n57r@735 7h3 r@p1d l1f3cycl35 0f d1g174l cul7ur@l ph3n0m3n@. Y37 175 3ndur1ng 1nflu3nc3—1n p@55w0rd pr@c71c35, 1n m3m3 cul7ur3, 1n 7h3 c0ll3c71v3 m3m0ry 0f 1n73rn37 h1570ry—@77357 70 175 l@571ng 51gn1f1c@nc3.

7h3 57udy 0f 1337 0ff3r5 v@lu@bl3 1n51gh75 f0r d1g174l @rch430l0g1575, l1ngu1575, @nd cul7ur@l h1570r1@n5 @l1k3. 17 d3m0n57r@735 h0w 73chn0l0g1c@l c0n57r@1n75 @nd 50c1@l n33d5 c@n g1v3 r153 70 n3w f0rm5 0f 3xpr355i0n, h0w 5ubcul7ur35 cr3@73 @nd m@1n7@1n b0und@r135 7hr0ugh l@ngu@g3, @nd h0w d1g174l @r71f@c75 c@n p3r5157 @nd 7r@n5f0rm 3v3n @5 7h31r 0r1g1n@l c0n73x75 f@d3.

1n 7h3 3nd, 1337 r3m1nd5 u5 7h@7 l@ngu@g3 15 n3v3r 57@71c—17 15 @lw@y5 b31ng 5h@p3d by 7h3 c0mmun1713s 7h@7 u53 17, 7h3 73chn0l0g135 7h@7 m3d1@73 17, @nd 7h3 cul7ur@l c0n73x75 7h@7 g1v3 17 m3@n1ng. 7h3 n3x7 71m3 y0u 533 "1337" 0n @ l1c3ns3 pl@73 0r 3nc0un73r "pwn3d" 1n @ g@m3, r3m3mb3r 7h@7 y0u @r3 w17n355i1ng @ p13c3 0f l1v1ng d1g174l h1570ry—@ l1ngu1571c f0551l 7h@7 571ll br3@7h35.

7h3 3l173 w1ll @lw@y5 f1nd w@y5 70 5p3@k 70 3@ch 07h3r @cr055 7h3 n0153 0f 7h3 m@1n57r3@m. 7h3y @lw@y5 h@v3. 7h3y @lw@y5 w1ll. @nd 1n 7h3 7r@c35 7h3y l3@v3 b3h1nd—1n 7h3 73x7 f1l35 @nd f0rum p0575, 7h3 cr@ck7r05 @nd 7h3 ch@7 l0g5—w3 f1nd n07 ju57 l1ngu1571c cur10s17135 bu7 73571m0ny 70 7h3 3ndur1ng hum@n dr1v3 70 cr3@73, c0nn3c7, @nd r3s157.

7h15 c0rn3r570n3 355@y h@5 b33n 175elf @n 3xp3r1m3n7—@n @773mp7 70 wr173 5ch0l@r5h1p 1n 7h3 v3ry l@ngu@g3 17 53ek5 70 @n@lyz3. 50m3 m@y f1nd 7h15 @ppr0@ch fr1v0l0u5 0r 0b57ruc71v3. W3 pr3f3r 70 7h1nk 0f 17 @5 @ f0rm 0f p3rf0rm@71v3 @rch@30l0gy—@n @c7 0f r3@n1m@710n 7h@7 br1ng5 @ d0rm@n7 l1ngu1571c 7r@d1710n b@ck 70 l1f3, 3v3n 1f 0nly br13fly.

F0r 1f 1337 15 70 3ndur3—1f 17 15 70 b3 m0r3 7h@n @ mu53um p13c3 0r @ punchl1n3—17 mu57 c0n71nu3 70 b3 u53d. 17 mu57 b3 wr1773n, r3@d, 5h@r3d, @nd 7r@n5f0rm3d. 7h15 355@y 15 0ur c0n7r1bu710n 70 7h@7 0ng01ng pr0c355.

GG, n00bz. GG.

7h15 d0cum3n7 15 175elf @ 1337 @r71f@c7—@ m3m0r1@l 70 @ l1v1ng l@ngu@g3 7h@7 pr3-d@73d 7h3 W0rld W1d3 W3b @nd c0n71nu35 70 3ch0 7hr0ugh 7h3 d1g174l r3@lm5 w3 1nh@b17 70d@y. M@y 17 53rv3 b07h @5 5ch0l@r5h1p @nd @5 7r1bu73.

R3F3R3NC35

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