Summary

This untitled chapter marks the beginning of the second part in the book, "0." Before this chapter begins, there is a lengthy quote from Cohen the Narrator's book, Polyn: A Life of My Mother. The quote centers around the supposed traditions that Diaspora Jews have inherited and that his particular generation is "lucky enough to have never lived to begin with" (163). This leads to Cohen the Narrator's initial attempt at writing Principal's autobiography. However, Cohen the Narrator clearly struggles to do so and later begins by writing down what Principal told him in their Palo Alto sessions.

From here, Cohen the Narrator gives the reader Principal's background, edits included. He states that Principal's family was obsessed with communication, as his father, Abraham ("Abs") was part of a team who helped develop the Internet in its initial stages. Cohen the Narrator inserts his thoughts and...