Varun Iyer is convinced the universe accidentally delivered him to an age overflowing with artificially intelligent toasters and multiple-choice tests instead of something suitably dramatic, like the collapse of an empire or at the very least the invention of fire. Forced to improvise, he channels his existential irritation into dismantling systems designed by very serious people who dislike being disrupted—chiefly educators, bureaucrats, and the occasional intelligent appliance. Varun remains hopeful the universe will eventually recognize its mistake and offer him a more interesting epoch, ideally without standardized exams.