> Whereas pretty much everything hacking-related is already a felony thanks to DMCA and other similar laws, so they don't have much to lose.
replyHackers were much more rebellious in former days before such laws were past. My opinion the reason why hackers got more "civilized" is that you could earn quite a lot of money by getting (and staying in) a job in big tech.
If there were no such laws, then what were they rebellious against?
replySocial norms and “the man”
replyCold war had a bunch of quiet, and likely extra-legal restrictions that could and would be applied if you stood too far out.
replyFor example if you started broadcasting high powered signals it wouldn't be surprising if you got checked into for being a communist/soviet.