Seth Price – How to Disappear in America
Original works by Fredric L Rice (originally published online; last updated January 2012), et al
LIST OF NOTABLE SYSTEMS/INFRASTRUCTURAL DESIGN “HACKS”
This instructional essay exposes some systems and designs which were originally meant to provide security and safety against people with malicious intent, but which also decrease safety and security of those trying to escape opposition with malicious intent.
But first: escape from whom?
“If you’re running from the IRS, know that your opposition has unlimited resources, and, depending on how much money you owe, a broad spectrum of motivation for finding you.”
“If you’re running from the criminal law, you should know that you will eventually get caught… it’s only a question of time before they find you.”
Destroying opposition’s automobile
“Add as much long-grain rice as possible [into radiator]… what you’re aiming for is a horribly clogged radiator and a badly damaged engine.”
– Finding a discreet leverage point in the automobile’s physical mechanism to destroy it quickly
Leaving enemy’s firearm in a postal box
“The fact that you are missing will mean that the firearm will not be returned to your abusive spouse or boy/girlfriend to be used against you. More: in many states the right to purchase another firearm will be either revoked or denied until the disposition of your whereabouts is ascertained. Dropping your opposition’s firearms into a postal box will effectively transfer ownership to the police and de-claw your opposition greatly.”
– Using the postal box and the protocols of a postal employee as a tactic to safely dispose of enemy’s weapon – system/infrastructural design hack
Not being traceable via credit cards
“destroy and discard all of your credit cards! The instant you use a credit card or an ATM bank card while on the run is the instant the authorities or private investigators know where you are… Gas debit cards… Telephone calling cards… any magnetic card with your name or the name of someone you know can and will be used to find your general area. If the FBI, DEA, BATF, CIA, or any number of other agencies involved in searching for you, they can pinpoint your location within minutes of you using a magnetic card.”
– Most are aware of this one. The interesting thing is the post-Snowden implications of what this tactic is missing — not only must one not use their cards, they must also not have a smartphone in their person, let alone the myriad of other electronic gadgets with tracking abilities one may possess (even unknowingly).
Using a toilet/the plumbing infrastructure to quickly dispose of certain belongings
“Purchase clothes you wouldn’t normally consider wearing… Cut your old clothes into pieces and flush them down the toilet — you won’t want your old clothes to be found.”
Disposing of your car by leaving it in an area where thieves will be most likely to steal (and sell) it quickly
“Leave the pink slip of the car in the glove box to make it easier for thieves to chop and sell your abandoned car. Leave a door unlocked so they don’t have to break a window. You want the car to b taken in mass rather than picked apart on the street where a cop will spot it so it’s best that you leave the key in the ignition while you’re at it.” Before you walk away from your car, the engine running, in fact, so that a thief will feel more comfortable stealing it. You could make it look like you’re just running into a store to buy something quickly.”
– Taking advantage of a system based on socioeconomic constraints
Use statistical profiling to your advantage by blending in
“Cops work off profiles: They are trained to spot th unusual as well as how to spot individuals fitting a variety of profiles. Someone on the run fits several profiles. You want to “fall out of the net” and slip through the typical police profiles… A cup of coffee on the dashboard, Lean back in your seat, left arm on the window… try to act like you’re a mindless commuter getting from point A to point B… you’ll need to adopt a carefree attitude and outward composure.”
– Social or behavioral hack
The original author states on his website where the piece still resides:
“For over 16 years this book has been made available in various versions on The Skeptic Tank, and through those years a number of people have stolen this important work, altered and redacted it and sold it as their own. Here at this web site is the original work, complete and uncensored.
This work is copyrighted by Fredric L. Rice (that’s me, the owner of The Skeptic Tank web site) and this book represents a considerable effort on my part, first having lived on the fringes of society for many years before “going straight,” and secondly for having spent a great many hours perfecting and maintaining this book”
This text is only valid in an art context because of artist Seth Price’s “adaptation” of the writing into a book, along with other previously published (but mostly obscure) pieces regarding various aspects of the removal of oneself from modern society. Price did so without permission from the original author and did not credit him. Although Price states in an interview with Reena Spauldings gallery that this instructional writing was “posted anonymously on the Internet. And with the kind of urging for anybody to take it and, uh, circulate it.” Price responds further to his “re-packaging” of these works with the following: “one way to disappear in America that the book seems to talk about has to do with renouncing the world of work and gainful employment and contracts, including marriage, and documentation. That’s been associated with artists, too… But I was also thinking about this idea of private property in America. I mean, it’s a very American thing, this particular relationship. to property and to all land that’s privately owned, that’s why it’s even an issue. To go out and live in the woods, for instance.”” Here Price makes the connection of authorship as a form of ownership of property that defines what it means to be “connected” to and a part of American society. Without knowing the original creators, they have effectively disappeared.