You do have to realize that in the golden age of the scene ('92-'94) the scene was populated by, essentially, a bunch of rich (or at least able to afford computer/modem/phoneline/ISP time if they were really lucky) 13-year-old nerds. Having suffered discrimination in the real world due to their morbid fascinations with the C64s in the computer labs this new technology allowed them to enact power fantasies and turn the tables on 'lamers' in this warped reality where computer knowledge allowed them to wield power over others.

Back when there were legitimate connections to illegal scenes (warez, phreaking) the eliteness was also, at least superficially, a security precaution.

If the inhabitants of the scene then seemed immature, that is probably because they were. It seems unfair to necessarily expect rational conduct of 13-year-olds 8) Just think of Lord of the Flies and the whole eliteness thing doesn't sound quite so bad after all...

oh jeez, I really should get rid of this sig.