I like how “having a computer science degree” counts as “zero knowledge” simply because this person didn’t know what XSS meant. Their definition of a newbie is… unsatisfying.
While i agree with you on the hijacking of the term, i do support more people getting involved with security and especially security awareness. The more, the merrier! So, overall its a good thing, even if it creates a little pain for folks who are more kung fu gurus of the hacking way. I think a more general term like "security practitioner" might be more apt...but headlines gonna be headlines, hence writers gonna jazz things up with "hacker". Then again, what do i know.
(Very rarely seen “noddy” used to describe an extremely rough throwaway utility program since then, though)
Anecdotical, but it happens.
Where I agree most bugs are self inflicted, there are plenty found in acquired software too.
EDIT: My bad, misread your comment.