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Regardless of how well that article makes the point, within the books the culture is a powerful hegemonic force. Its internal views and conflicts about the natu
by 8fGTBjZxBcHq 6y ago
Regardless of how well that article makes the point, within the books the culture is a powerful hegemonic force. Its internal views and conflicts about the nature and execution of that is a major plot driver in a few of the books.
I'm not convinced Banks considered the culture a perfect utopia but even if he did that doesn't mean I need to agree.
- gpderetta 6y agoI'm not convinced either. At some point Banks tell us that there are similar higly advanced cultures in the galaxy with similar or superior utopias. But while most of them keep for themselves and have the good taste to sublimate once they reach a certain technological level, the Culture is special as it sticks around and actively interferes with other civilizations. This of course makes for more interesting stories and it is not necessarily a flaw, but it is certainly contentious (especially Special Circumstances) even in-universe and has spawned factions and splinter civilizations.