The TSA Ritual

Take a flight in the U.S. You shuffle through a checkpoint, strip your shoes, spread your arms in a scanner, surrender your water bottle, let strangers paw through your bag.

Notice the choreography. It’s not just about finding weapons. It’s about teaching compliance. Stand here. Raise your arms. Wait for permission. Thank the officer.

The ritual isn’t about safety. It’s about obedience. Surveillance as liturgy.