Grown-ups are always talking about the ‘good old days’ and how things were so much better when THEY were kids. But I think they’re just jealous because MY generation has all this fancy technology and stuff they didn’t have growing up.
-- Greg (Section 1)

Importance: Here, Greg lays the foundation for the entire novel to come. He presents the case that his parents, and other adults, all believe they had things better as children. Greg disagrees because his own generation has technology and things that the adults never had. This presents the coming challenge for the novel – whether the kids of the present can survive without the technology they are used to.

I really don’t want to imagine living in a world without baby wipes.
-- Greg (Section 1)

Importance: Here, Greg talks about how his mother has begun a petition to live without modern conveniences – especially electronics – for a weekend. Greg considers the idea but...