He is in a relationship with a girl named Anna-Louise, and he dreams of working for the American defense contractor Bechtel.

The effects of the Plants' shutdown has caused many problems in the town, including the boarding up of many stores in the local mall.

Tyler's world starts to turn upside down as his grandparents lose their fortune, his mother becomes a KittyWhip salesperson, and his relationship with Anna-Louise enters a rough patch.

Tyler, deciding that his life in Lancaster is not interesting enough, leaves with Stephanie to live in Los Angeles.

Tyler's worst fear becomes realized as he finds himself working at a chicken fry shop manning the fryer.

The primary character, Tyler, is a "Global Teen", what was popularly labeled in the media as Generation Y.

They are the children of the hippy generation, who "react by loving corporations, and they don't mind wearing ties.

It has been referenced by the show Ergo Proxy, whose 21st episode was named after the book, and by the band Panic!

The Japanese rock band Learners perform a song called "Shampoo Planet," written by Gakuji Matsuda.