Bonus, in Buffalo. Love the choners. (Photo by celso_nyc.)

• On the origins, meaning and use of the word “hacker.”
• “Irony expertly wielded is the best defense against the manipulation of truth by the media.” Quixote, Colbert and the reality of fiction — a fascinating essay by William Egginton.
• Gay life in the ‘50s: Nice interactive piece in the New York Times related to the exhibit Obscene Diary, at New York’s Museum of Sex.
• The New York Observer has an interesting profile of Paula Cooper, SoHo’s pioneer gallerist: “It’s still difficult for women. There’s a whole bunch of these men who never—they’re so rude. You know, Gagosian, Mugrabi, what’s his name who owns those wonderful buildings? Lever House? Aby Rosen. They’re these macho guys who are really rude.”
• Speaking of which, the Observer also has a new arts website called Gallerist NY. I expect it will give good hype.
• Rich companies behaving badly: Sign the petition against the Sotheby’s labor lockout.
• This essay makes me feel infinitely better about being continually irritated by Ryan Trecartin’s work. (@artfagcity.)
• Joerg Colberg is right. The New Work series by Natalie Krick is dang rad — a tribute to awkward sexuality.
• I have to highly respect Robert Rauschenberg’s decision not to put tomatoes or beans in his chili. (Eyeteeth.)
• A new NYC non-profit worth knowing about: A Blade of Grass. The organization is offering grants to artists whose work extends beyond the gallery. Check it!
• Cardiff getting crunky, a photo essay by Maciej Dakowicz. (Thanks, Adrienne, for the tip.)