It appeared that way, Lawrence, but this raised the question of was mathematics really true or was it just a game played with symbols? In other words… - Neal Stephenson

The qualifications for being a Scout seemed to be a shocking level of physical endurance, a complete disregard for mortal danger, and some knowledge of how to exist in a space suit. All of them were Russian.

The light shone on a face imprinted with more odd and unwholesome tales than a warehouse full of Bibles.

He turns off the techno-shit in his goggles. All it does is confuse him; he stands there reading statistics about his own death even as it's happening to him. Very post-modern.