If the point above is that a distopian experience can in some measure, or even largely, be self-inflicted, I'm not going to disagree. It all still made for an interesting read.

I'll also point out that giving away status can sometimes win loyalty, i.e., business. I was given several years' worth of Gold status at Hilton some time ago, and I've been a (lower-tiered) loyalist ever since. And then, today, thanks to Amex . . . .