A tragic sigh. Information. What's wrong with dope and women? Is it any wonder the world's gone insane, with information come to be the only real medium of exchange? I thought it was cigarettes. You dream. He brings out a list of Zürich cafés and gathering spots. Under Espionage, Industrial, Slothrop finds three. Ultra, Lichtspiel, and Sträggeli. They are on both banks of the Limmat, and widely spaced. Footwork, folding the list in an oversize zoot-suit pocket. It'll get easier. Someday it'll all be done by machine. Information machines. You are the wave of the future.
The excerpt reflects a sense of despair and confusion regarding contemporary society, specifically addressing issues related to drugs and relationships. The mention of "information" as the primary medium of exchange suggests a world overwhelmed by data, where traditional values may have deteriorated. The speaker appears to mourn a loss of substance, hinting at a disillusionment that leads to feelings of madness in the world around them.
The narrative then shifts to a more concrete depiction, as a character named Slothrop receives a list identifying specific cafés and locations in Zürich associated with espionage. This blend of location and intrigue represents a search for meaning amidst chaos. The reference to the ease of future tasks suggests a reliance on technology and mechanization, highlighting a transition into a world dominated by machines, which the speaker sees as inevitable and indicative of societal progression.
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