When Geoffrey Blainey’s seminal work The Tyranny of Distance first appeared in Dymocks’ window many people didn’t realise it was a history book. In 1966, after all, a trip to the old country (any old country) still entailed many vomitous weeks at sea for all but the wealthiest Australians. But thanks to the greater fuel efficiency of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner we no longer have to contend with even the tyranny of the transit lounge.