I used to read it quite often when I was 15, now that I am in my 40s, I think the manifesto is quite weak, even though its romantic in its attempt to celebrate curiosity and claim a new home for some.

Now I align more with Bunnie's [1] way: when you look at a thing as a thing, strip it from its social weight, a program is just a program, you can study it, understand its machinery and mechanisms, and make it do what you want. You can understand things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyYsVeYzbik

PS: I still think phrack 49/14 was the most iconic article I have read, and has changed the way I look at programs ever since.

            I made a discovery today.  I found a computer.  Wait a second, this is
    cool.  It does what I want it to.  If it makes a mistake, it's because I
    screwed it up.  Not because it doesn't like me...
                    Or feels threatened by me...
                    Or thinks I'm a smart ass...

Nonetheless, I can't help but admire the rebellious spirit in this article. A lot of human social systems really are conformist and oppressive - high school absolutely included - and I have some respect for people who chafe against it.

I guess it would be good to ask, what specifically was +++The Mentor+++ arrested for, and is that law good or bad?