Chapter 27 Summary

Y.T. calls Hiro, and tells him that she is on a monorail train following the avatar with no arms. Y.T. tells Hiro about the delivery to the Pearly Gates, and that the people at Griffith Park were babbling. Hiro asks The Librarian about talking in tongues, which was part of the Babel story. The Librarian explains to Hiro that the phenomenon is technically called glossolalia, and is a neurological function that has been exploited in religion. The Librarian explains that nam-shub is a Sumerian word, and that the Sumerian language consists of single syllables linked together to form words. Hiro asks The Librarian if it would sound like glossolalia, and The Librarian does not speculate and provide an answer. The Librarian goes on to explain that nam-shub means a speech with magical force. Hiro ponders that the Metaverse is essentially a...