How to become a hacker

How to become a #hacker: You’ve read about the exploits of groups such as LulzSec, Anonymous and AntiSec. You’ve read my Kevin Mitnick interview with great interest. You’ve followed such famous programmers as Richard Stallman, Linus Torvalds, Marc Andreesen and Dennis Ritchie. And, now you want to become a hacker. But, how does one become a hacker? Is there some secret society with blood rites that tests your willingness to exploit and deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting computer users? Or, do you have to sell your soul and pledge allegiance to an organized crime boss to break into this mysterious field?