I gave my thesis presentation on August 19, 2000. I graduated on August 20. I finished the damn thing on August 21.

Ideally, this is a contemporary work, meaning that whenever you read it, it takes place TODAY. As with all good perishables, though, I'm sure it will keep its mark in this time period. That's actually a good thing, though, because if it's still relevant in fifty years, it means that the world never took my advice.