Well, it's an adventure story, and a Bildungsroman, of course, but there was also the intention to describe a culture that had been seen in rather narrow terms.

We're all living on borrowed time. The trick is to come up with works of sufficient interest to pay off the debt.

Observe, don't imitate.

We're not lost. We're locationally challenged

The language fictional characters use is chosen for effect, at least if the author is concentrating.

There are people who believe in an absolutely transparent prose; with every respect for clarity of expression, I don't.

If I were to write Web now, it would be a much, much darker book.