today's reason I hate capitalism, or how to get a better rate from your bank

I called Wells Fargo to cancel our banking accounts. The nice woman asked why. I said we get better rates with a credit union. She asked if I would like to speak with someone about the possibility of a competitive rate from the bank.

I said no, 'cause the best banks are still institutions to exploit folks, but I realized that if I was a serious capitalist, I would call everyone I had an account with and threaten to close it, just to see if I would get a better deal.

Class War Report of the Day: The Reproduction of Privilege - NYTimes.com

The Reproduction of Privilege - NYTimes.com: "“The income-achievement gap is now more than twice as large as the black-white achievement gap. Fifty years ago, in contrast, the black-white gap was twice as large as the income gap,” according to Sean Reardon, a professor of education and sociology at Stanford, writing in “The Widening Academic Achievement Gap between the Rich and the Poor: New Evidence and Possible Explanations:”"

yes, the internet is the electricity of the 21st century, plus a John Carter rec

We have broadband at last. This is good. I have nothing profound to say about the modern need for the net, but anyone who thinks it should be a privilege rather than a right is no friend of humanity.

Saw John Carter today. It may've benefitted from a few bad reviews; I had the fun after the first ten minutes or so. Someone convinced them to start with two unnecessary sequences, so don't fret if you show up a few minutes late.

a drug that reduces racism?

Does Propranolol Reduce Racism? Probably Yes, Subconsciously.

When I did the Project Implicit test, like a large minority of white folks, I learned I have an implicit preference for black folks. I dunno if Propranolol would've eliminated that. The idea of a drug that eliminates racism may excite some people, but it worries me—humans are a combination of their opinions, good and bad, and being able to control other people's opinions is the dream of every hierarch.

breaking internet silence

We're in our new home, and quite happy with it, and have increased sympathy for anyone who moves. We've done almost nothing social yet, and I am becoming much too familiar with the way Ikea designers think. When everything's unpacked and there's a place for everything, we'll be less asocial—leaning toward prosocial, not antisocial, we hope.

The two frustrations are the cold white stuff from the sky and delays in getting internet. We signed up for the citywide service, only to learn on installation day that we're in a dead spot, probably due to being surrounded by trees and tall stucco homes. So we've signed up for DSL, and Centurylink takes a surprisingly long time to get around to throwing a switch—we should have home internet next week.

Hasta luego!

Soldaderas

via The Pictorial Arts: Soldier Girls, some Adelitas:

Antonio Gómez R. — Las Soldaderas — 1938

Antonio Gómez R. — Soldaderas — 1940

find a credit union

Credit Union National Finder

via Credit Unions Pros, Cons