He pictured his mother, huddled in the darkened hours of the new millennium, scooping a spoonful of sweet peaches into her mouth, saying, “You know what, Michael? You were right about Y2K. I should have listened. Sometimes eleven-year-old boys know exactly what to do.”"
-- Narration (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote highlights Michael’s anxiety about the future, specifically Y2K. The quote shows Michael imagining a future in which his actions have been validated, revealing his preoccupation with control and the consequences of his preparations. His fantasy about his mother praising him reflects both his desire for approval and his anxiety about the future: he wants to ensure that his efforts, like the Y2K stockpile, will matter. Symbolically, Y2K represents the uncertainties of the world that weigh on Michael, while the imagined reassurance from his mother highlights his need for emotional security and guidance.

Spatial Teleportation Scientists should avoid interaction with...
-- Sum Book (chapter 4)