The trajectory of an ant may appear exceedingly complex, thus implying concealed behavioral patterns of commensurable complexity, but closer inspection reveals a rather simple creature in a rich environment. The obstacles encountered along the way generate almost all deviations from an otherwise straight line. The main task of an observer is to establish the link between the actual and the apparent path of the insect, by incorporating the impact of the environment into the picture. This applies to my writing, as well. Another observer, relative to whom my own behavior would be comparable with that of an ant, would no doubt perceive the hypothesized straight line. All the random twists and turns would be accounted for in terms of external factors. Given that such an observer is not to be hoped for, the best available alternative that I can adopt in order to illuminate my own path is to retrace my steps by making a serious and honest attempt at reconstruction of all the potentially relevant events that have influenced my writing. Clearly, as I am by assumption not in position to judge what is relevant and what is not in this respect, an extensive description of all the events that I can recollect is the only course to follow. The richer this description, the smaller the requisite distance between me and the hypothetical observer. And this simply increases the likelihood of successful interpretation—in the long run at least. The form of my writing facilitates this task. The granular structure, the chronological order, and the dates of writing provide a rudimentary skeleton for biographical extensions and addenda. My residua are consequently analogous to Theseus’ string, and many similar mythical devices. Furthermore, all the zigzags are faithfully preserved, as I have carefully avoided any preconceived direction, that could only spoil the life-long experiment by biasing the ultimate results. To that extent the comparison with an ant is paradoxically appropriate and relevant. The only thing that is assumed throughout, in relation both to an ant and myself, however, is that interpretation is necessary, and therefore intrinsically valuable. Someone, somewhere, sometime, will be compelled to provide it. This is indeed an axiom underlying the entire argument.