At this point, we all know that banks are relatively evil. However, in the credit-based economy that we have all contributed to, it’s difficult to function without a bank, unless of course you’re prepared to live off the grid; most people aren’t.

On December 8th, I made a withdrawal from a Capital One ATM in NYC where I live. That evening, I boarded a plane to Madrid, Spain with my family. We arrived in the morning and needed Euros, so I went to an airport ATM in the Madrid airport and withdrew a 100 euros that added up to a $133 dollars. We went to Madrid due to work and immediately started working. I did not check my Capital One account for three days due to work.

On the morning of December 12th, I tried to withdraw money from a bank ATM. My Capital One card told me that I had withdrawn over the limit for the day. Later that day, when I had a computer available, I checked my Capital One account. There was fraudulent activity on my account.

On the same day that I withdrew a 100 euros in Madrid that was December 9th, someone in NYC withdrew $500 from my Capital One saving account three times from two different ATMs – 993 2ND Avenue, New York, NY and 10 East 34th Street, New York, NY. They also withdrew from my Capital One checking account $303 on December 9th at 993 2nd Avenue. Capital One did absolutely nothing, although separately I withdrew $133 from an ATM in Madrid, Spain.

On December 12th, when I checked my account, more withdrawals were in process. Two withdrawals at $500, two withdrawals at $403 and one withdrawal at $503 all from NYC. I called Capital One, and spoke with someone to stop these withdrawals and was told that nothing could be done because they were in process and I could not file a complaint about them until they were processed. Meanwhile my account went into the red.

I’ve dealt with several banks through my life. And most banks have some security in place to stop withdrawals at the limit, particularly when withdrawals are being drawn via debit card from two different parts of the world. Meanwhile Capital One allowed $4,112 to be withdrawn on December 9th and on December 12th. During all this time I am in Spain. After talking with a representative at Capital One, I’m told that I must sign an affidavit to have the money from the fraudulent activity put into my accounts. I can not sign the affidavit because they can not fax it internationally or email it to me.

The following week, a paycheck was direct deposited into my savings account. I needed to pay my mortgage, so I moved money into my checking account so that I could pay my mortgage. Unfortunately nearly all the money that I moved went to balancing the negative amount in my checking account due to the fraudulent activity that Capital One did not protect me from. And then on top of that they took money for overdraft – $35 three times! So now, I can’t sign the affidavit, I can’t pay my mortgage, I can’t pay any bills and my credit is going to hell because Capital One sucks!!!

SPRING BREAK WORKSHOP
Digital Art Workshop for High School Girls
10AM-5PM // April 18 & April 19
@ Eyebeam Art + Technology Center 540 W 21 St, between 10th & 11th Aves in Manhattan

REGISTER by April 15th at 5PM:

http://bit.ly/i2iLbP

High school girls will collaborate with two artists to create an interactive digital art installation that will be featured at Figment Festival, a 3-day public art festival taking place on NYC’s Governor’s Island (June 10-12). Over the course of a 2-day workshop at Eyebeam, students will learn how to embed basic electronics into everyday objects to transform them into musical instruments.

This workshop is for creative young women between the ages of 14-18. No experience with technology required.

Workshop fee: ?$20 includes all materials, hot lunch, and a snack (income sensitive scholarships available – email stephanie@eyebeam.org with inquiries)

Workshop dates: April 18 + April 19, 10AM–5PM

Workshop Location:
Eyebeam Art + Technology Center
540 W 21 St
New York, NY 10011
Map

Questions? Email stephanie@eyebeam.org

REGISTER by April 15th at 5PM:

http://bit.ly/i2iLbP

Following an excellent dinner at Woodward’s Garden on Mission and 13th, Brooke and I headed to 19th and Bryant. We mistakenly attended a guest list party at Guerrero Gallery and were happily surprised by two good bands. We’re not sure about the names, but the pictures are below. We hope that one day the drummer from the first band plays with the cello player of the second, because both these people were amazing.


Later that night we realized that it was the first New Years since 2007 that we’d been out and about.

You can also identify this phenomenon in the contemporary pressures of corporations with publicly traded stock to maintain and increase “shareholder value.” What matters most to these corporations’ managers are the metrics of profit and objective value monitored and determined by a new enormous, international financial services industry. What matters less, especially to most metrically inclined institutional investors, is how well the company has done for society, what the subjective value of its products are to its producers and consumers, it is the objective, quantifiable dimension of value that is the proverbial bottom line. Marx would see this as the essence of capitalism – the centralization of markets and money, the elevation of the quantitative, formal side of things and therefore “estrangement,” in human experience. In contemporary capitalist society, like it or not, the medial sphere of exchange and transaction reigns supreme, utilizing the formal, objective dimension of value to triumph over the poetic, and, for Marx, “human” dimension of value.

Several weeks ago, I received a collection letter for about $900 from Midland Credit for a debt that Midland purchased from Bank of America. I was surprised because I have no debts and I’ve never had any account or anything to do with Bank of America.

So I call Midland Credit, they ask me the last four digits of my social security number and the guy tells me that the debt is owed by another Ricardo Miranda with a different social security number and born in 1964. He goes on to tell me that my name and address will be deleted and that the credit bureaus will be contacted with the correction. I ask how such a mistake can be made, after all this is someone’s credit that they are playing with, and he tells me that they just look for people living in the same area as the person who incurred the debt was living and has the same name and then pin the debt to that person and send a collection letter. I was amazed at how irresponsible their procedure at collection is, hell I could do that, get a name and address without paying for a social security number check and just send a collection letter. I can’t believe that this sort of company is allowed to function and to ruin a person’s credit.

A couple weeks later, I receive the same collection letter! I call again, and my name and address has not been erased and then I tell the guy that this can really screw up my credit and I’m trying to refinance a mortgage and he tells me that it can’t possibly effect my credit score as the debt is not associated with my social security number.

A month later, I’m trying to refinance my mortgage and am told that two of my credit reports are a 100 points below what they should be, due to a Midland Credit debt! Now I’m wasting a lot of time, trying to correct information for a debt that is owed by some other guy with my name… This is nuts!

ASSOCIATE OR FULL PROFESSOR FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES
JOB ID: 2389
Hunter College’s Department of Film and Media Studies, which combines analytical and theoretical analysis with creative practice using an interdisciplinary approach to media, seeks applications for an Associate Professor or Professor who is a scholar and practitioner of new media. The position calls for a candidate who has an understanding of the cultural effects of new media and Internet technologies. Extensive teaching experience is essential. A PhD or MFA is required. APPLY ON LINE TO THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS: digitalmediasearch@hunter.cuny.edu

Include letter of application with teaching/artistic/professional philosophy, curriculum vitae, list of three references or send to:
Dr. James Roman, Professor & Chair
Department of Film and Media Studies
Hunter College, CUNY
695 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10065