In the following interview, based on e-mail exchanges, Arthur Kopit discusses the ideas behind, research for, and technological context of his play Y2K.

KATIE HAFNER. How did you get the idea for "Y2K"?

ARTHUR KOPIT. From thinking about the way Kenneth Starr was pursuing Monica Lewinsky. Which is to say, I was not thinking about computers at all but invasion of privacy. And I was feeling outrage. And that outrage went completely off the charts when Starr tried to subpoena records showing what books Monica Lewinsky had bought. I thought, my God, there's no stopping him! If you're looking for a real threat to our country, this is it. And that led me to thinking about the ways all of us were vulnerable to such an assault in the future and right now. And those thoughts led to this play.

Q. The technical language spewed...