HN Explorer

Ask HN: hacking a non-computer system (YC application question)?

1 points by dirkdeman ↗ HN
I'm struggling with the following question for my YC application:

'Please tell us about the time you, dirkdeman, most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage.'

It must be the language barrier, but I have no grasp of the meaning of 'hacking a non-computer system'. What does this mean? A 'system' like taxes, governement, school or a company you work for? Or is it something more trivial, like making a beer cooler out of Lego? Does anyone has an example of this to put me in the right direction?

2 comments

[ 5.8 ms ] story [ 10.7 ms ] thread
timthorn
It's about gaming the system, or using the rules to your advantage in a way that they weren't intended for.

For example - you might collect Air Miles and, having worked out that a particular promotion at the supermarket was worth more in miles than the product cost, got a first class round-the-world flight for less than an economy ticket to the next town.

dirkdeman
Ah, right, the system as in 'THE SYSTEM'. Thanks for clarifying and the example!