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Old 06-29-2011, 08:21 PM   #71
combatmedic
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Originally Posted by sir_pudding View Post
Social Engineering
I don't get it. Please explain.

How is this a euphemism? What has it got to do with hackers?

I am familiar with the concept as part of political science.
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Old 06-29-2011, 08:26 PM   #72
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How is this a euphemism? What has it got to do with hackers?
Hackers use "social engineering" as a euphemism for talking to people using deception, con-games or just simple inquiry to get access to sensitive information; as contrasted with using computer or electronics engineering instead.
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Old 06-29-2011, 08:36 PM   #73
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Hackers use "social engineering" as a euphemism for talking to people using deception, con-games or just simple inquiry to get access to sensitive information; as contrasted with using computer or electronics engineering instead.
Hmmm...interesting. I had no idea hackers used it that way. Thanks, Sir Pudding. :)

I had assumed that the GURPS editor or writer who picked the name was thinking mainly of the ordinary use of 'social engineering.' It means a deliberate, planned, large-scale attempt by a government or other entity to alter the thoughts and habits of the people.
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Old 06-29-2011, 08:43 PM   #74
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I had assumed that the GURPS editor or writer who picked the name was thinking mainly of the ordinary use of 'social engineering.' It means a deliberate, planned, large-scale attempt by a government or other entity to alter the thoughts and habits of the people.
Yes, I'm aware of that meaning too and I suspect that the book will also cover propaganda and other forms of mass communication and manipulation. Therefore it seems the title is triply meaningful, which is why I think it's playfully appropriate as long as book covers:
  • Social worldbuilding. The GM as social engineer.
  • Personal communication in order to achieve a goal. The hacker, con-man, interrogator, salesman et. al. as social engineer.
  • Propaganda and mass communication. Governments and other powerful entities as social engineer.
then the title will be very apt.
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Old 06-29-2011, 08:49 PM   #75
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It sounds pretentious to me.

GURPS Dog Breeds and GURPS Kitchen Fixtures, however, will fill gaping voids in the rules.
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:29 PM   #76
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I really don't see how that's pretentious at all. It's an accurate description of what the book is about. How is that more 'pretentious' than something like 'City Stats' or 'Mysteries'?
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:38 PM   #77
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How is that more 'pretentious' than something like 'City Stats' or 'Mysteries'?
Twice as many syllables? :)
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:49 PM   #78
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Hhehehehe...


:0
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:57 PM   #79
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I really don't see how that's pretentious at all. It's an accurate description of what the book is about. How is that more 'pretentious' than something like 'City Stats' or 'Mysteries'?
Social engineering does rather strike me as a self important way to say "lying". But GURPS Lying would be a bit much.
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:59 PM   #80
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Social engineering does rather strike me as a self important way to say "lying". But GURPS Lying would be a bit much.
Add GURPS Lying to the list in the other thread (GURPS books you DON'T want to see).

:)

Last edited by combatmedic; 06-29-2011 at 11:06 PM.
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