This morning’s Observer column…

I’m watching a video stream from downtown San Francisco. It’s 1am there. The video is shot from inside a car. An idiotic music channel is pumping audiopap through the vehicle’s stereo system. The driver has recently pulled into a fast food outlet and ordered a chocolate milkshake and a steakburger. Now we’re back on the road. I’ve no idea where the car is headed. The driver has a companion, with whom he exchanges genial but low-key wisecracks…