I disagree. It's all about context. Don't describe yourself as a hacker unless you are around fellow hackers (in the sense used on this site). Otherwise you risk being misinterpreted.
i'd rather educate than be misinterpreted. the term 'hacker' best describes me and what i do. i'm not [just] an engineer. i'm not [just] a designer. i'm a hacker. hacker has a real, defined meaning. the media and popular interpretation be damned.