Backsliding towards the Dark Ages, it was if the Renaissance had never occurred.

Our heads were buried in the virtual world and didn't notice the real world's death throes.

Addicted to entertainment, the whole world became our Circus Maximus.

Their wistfulness was for a bygone era that only existed in the movies.

Dazzled by dreams of unmitigated success, Daniel managed to die early as a middle manager with an unmet mortgage and the debt of a small island nation.

Would we ever have enough?

They talked of scorpions and desert blooms and the unique feeling of slowly dying of thirst.