Kudos for the New York Times, that ol' Grey Lady, for publishing such a moving obit. I think we should all recognize the man's genius, that spark which inhabits all hackers: that love of intricate systems, which beckon us to explore hidden worlds, affect their behavior, prodding, probing, and extending ourselves, eventually injecting ourselves into the system. We modern techies take for granted such intimacy with today's technology: truly, Ma Bell was Joe's real mother. Whatever you're hacking, in whatever medium, whether electronic or mechanical, analog or digital, we can all gather inspiration from Joe's skills and accomplishments (and those of other phreakers "back in the day"). Joe, God bless and rest in peace.