[5kidw4rd]

I can't tell if this is a question or a monologue of self-discovery that was proclaimed without context. Nevertheless, you're right; tools don't make the hacker. The mindset does.

[thejaeger123]

piece of paper with “Ethical Hacker” 

Really cracked me up, EC Council has been making a fool out of people for years now and yet people still fall for it.

True story, unfortunately, HR use this as a buzzword when selecting potential candidates for the security related jobs.
Try searching for jobs on LinkedIn, just out of curiosity, and you will see at least 20-30 % of job postings wanting CEH among other buzzwords.

A lot of companies with audited ISMS won't even think of talking to you if you don't have one of those papers.

Yet, nothing beats a good old self-taught self-motivated old-school hands-on expert.

I agree with that 100%, unfortunately as you said, the gatekeepers at HR require one of these buzz words to let you in.

Although, I am glad no one requires those to let you in on a forum or discussion/ message board.

[abu0amr]

I learned a lot more here