On our first call, he launched into a litany of minutiae: names, logistical details, allegations of minor players committing petty crimes.

"In or out of the White House, Mr. Carter devoted his life to solving problems, like an engineer, by paying attention to the minutiae of a complicated world."

The EU wants to take action to get the UK closer, but on the other hand, we can't do away with technical minutiae that are the foundation of the EU.

He has memorized its significant dates, minutiae about the company that built it and details about what became an international fundraising campaign for the landmark.

“He got stuck in the minutiae and sucked into these peripheral things,” said the person, who declined to be named.