When I was sixteen, I knew I'd go to jail
Cause I wrote my first program for hacking into mail
Didn't even use it, no amount of malice
I was learning how to code, it was all about the challenge
Up until that point, I was trying to find a balance
Parents fully hoping I'd been chosen for a talent
Life feeling blurry, but no one ever noticed
I was always wide-eyed but couldn't ever focus
And it was at that moment, awoken to this dream
Face all aglow with my code up on the screen
In the same vein ashamed that this was all illegal
Just the letter of the law cause my spirit wasn't evil
Things sharpened up, at last I had my vision
But IT security wasn't even a position
Blind to decision, I didn't have a say
Finally find what I'm given, I can't let it get away
If I weren't a hacker, I would feel afraid
From the way that the media has put them on display
Regardless of the matter, that's what people say
But wait I am a hacker, sorta feel betrayed
Yeah an aloof kid, always said my two bits
Living for this learning from the joy and the amusement
Security's a mindset, and though it's been eluded
We like to find a problem, solve it and improve it
The only part that's foolish, is the asymmetric recourse
Like put ourselves through enormous fights and got a divorce
Let it go, and now we're out here drowning
Desperately reaching just to pull ourselves out and
Defenseless, feeling marked and being counted
We're just tinkerers, makers, outnumbered and surrounded
I can't speak for everyone, but feel it's safe to say
That never should a researcher be treated in this way
2010, the beginning of the end
I can feel my heart drop, don't let it go again
From the hand that was dealt, you've gotta play your cards
How far would you take it? Don't take it too hard
On January 11th, 2013
We lost one of the brightest minds that ever dared to dream
To be honest, I'm so angered and disturbed
Victim of a system, but you lived by your word
Betrayed by an act whose billings aren't that clear
And gets more outdated as we age another year
The world lost a man who defended open speech
Then suffered at the hands of prosecution overreach
Before we lose another, there's time to stop the bleeding
Please, can we finally get the changes we've been needing
So many questions caused the statement we're declaring
We had to tell the world, this one is for Aaron