VOOZH about

URL: https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/hack.3983340/

⇱ hack | WordReference Forums

Menu
Install the app
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

hack

Hello All,
Could you please give a synonym for the bold part?

On the other hand, we can also hack our compassion impulses in the other direction when we determine it to be beneficial.

Thank you.

Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture​

Book by Ryan Bush
I agree with both #2 and #3 above in the general sense, but it's hard to see exactly what Bush means. Hack has several definitions:
  • to cut, notch, slice, chop, or sever (something) with or as with heavy, irregular blows ...
  • to damage or injure by crude, harsh, or insensitive treatment; mutilate...
  • to reduce or cut ruthlessly; trim...
  • to deal or cope with; handle...
  • to devise or modify (a computer program), usually skillfully.
Given that the first three of these meanings are derogatory (heavy... insensitive... ruthless...) and the other two complementary ones are slang, I can't imagine what Bush was thinking of in using hack alongside compassion. Perhaps he's just clumsy with words?
[...]
  • to devise or modify (a computer program), usually skillfully.
[...]
That's the idea. There's a lot of talk these days about "life hacks," that is (using a metaphor from computer technology) making changes to your mental "software" in order to achieve some purpose.
Back
Top Bottom