We always refer to social collapse as a scary possibility in the future. But for those of us over a certain age who remember a functioning society, it often feels like dystopia is here. To be sure, we don’t have cool Mad Max gasoline wars, rocket motorcycles, sex slaves in leather bustiers and warlords who wear ball gags. It’s just… the airport, 2024. You aren’t going to be told “Enter the Thunderdome!” at spear-point, it will be “your call is important to us…”

As I arrived at my gate at San Jose’s airport 20 minutes ago, it was announced that there is no plane, and they don’t know when or if there will be one. “But stay close to the gate.” I watched the faces of others as this was announced — total passivity and resignation. Now I am looking out the window at the Netjets terminal for private jets, where the planes of Silicon Valley firms are coming and going briskly. Competence for us, wholesale dysfunction for you. I’m not sure how much longer ordinary people are going to continue to regard air travel as viable. It’s a frog in the pot situation. #Brazilification