The name of this novel comes from the problem generated by 32-bit integer where the digital representation of the time in many digital systems goes from 00:00:00 UTC on 1 January 1970 to 03:14:07 UTC on 19 January 2038. After that time these systems cannot encode more seconds.
The book covers different angles of the society that is invaded by virtual reality, automation and governance control. Different interrelated events happened shaking the status-quo of a civilization that needs to adapt to their evolved technology. So may ethics questions arise during the whole book.
Very easy to read, short chapters that jumps from one character to other.