"I think you're exactly right. They also seem more concerned with mortal concerns." The actual life of the people who exist in this sphere. In some circles that would seem almost petty, when there are bigger things at stake, but he does understand it. People can only control so much.

"What is confusing to me about the Free Cities is why they want to destroy the Singularity. Ignoring the gods is one thing, but even their New Magic runs on magic of some kind. It seems like such a drastic point of view." That's not ignoring gods, that is wanting to disrupt the power within this sphere. Istredd thinks Thorne's ignorance about the gods is annoying, but it's nothing compared to the danger of the Free Cities' threat toward the Singularity.