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What inspired these "Cypherpunks"? I have become more and more interested in figuring out where these thoughts actually originated from? Are there any books or other resources that dig into this early "hacker mentality"?

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Guessing here, but probably from William Gibson Neuromancer, where the term originates. You have the 1982 movie Bladerunner. And there is also the 80s blockbuster War Games, that deals with hacking.

These all had a big influence in the time of BBSes and microcomputers and the rise of the PC. In BBSes you had lots of discussions and books and software.

I was not aware of the origins of the term, so thanks for that.

But then the question lurks; was the hackers inspired by the movies or was the movies inspired by the hackers :)

Both probably! The movies made hacking look inspiring and hackers were a source of inspiration with movie makers/writers.

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