High-tech Rascality: Asperger's Syndrome, Hackers, Geeks, and Personality Types in the ICT Industry

The computing industry needs people who are ethically aware, excellent communicators and effective team members. A recent court case involving a computer hacker suggested some reasons why ICT workers often do not fit the desired profile. This paper examines four types of people (usually male) who are attracted to computer work: computer hackers, computer geeks, people with Asperger's Syndrome, and people whose behavioural preferences fit the ISTJ Myers-Briggs classification. I argue that these individuals are likely to contribute to communication difficulties within the industry and may be susceptible to ethical lapses. Some ideas about how the situation could be addressed are offered.