A good working knowledge of history is crucial. Because context is everything.

Which is why those of you with any kind of interest in recent NSA/GCHQ revelations should read historian Jill Lepore's article:



The Prism: Privacy in an age of publicity

Using poppy seeds, strands of hair, and grains of sand… and then mailing the letter to himself to figure out he was being spied on?

Sounds like Giuseppe Mazzini was the "hacker" of his day.