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Ian M Banks’ “Culture” series can be kind of hopeful in a way, in that the entire existence of the Culture itself is a neat space utopia. The stories themselves
by girvo 5y ago
Ian M Banks’ “Culture” series can be kind of hopeful in a way, in that the entire existence of the Culture itself is a neat space utopia. The stories themselves aren’t always hopeful in the small, though, but it’s that contrast that makes it so good!
- f00zz 5y agoThanks! I've been meaning to read those for a while. I'll start with "Consider Phlebas".
- webmaven 5y ago> Ian M Banks’ “Culture” series can be kind of hopeful in a way, in that the entire existence of the Culture itself is a neat space utopia. Worth noting that Earth isn't part of the Culture, it has been left in ignorance to stare out at an apparently silent universe.
- f00zz 5y agoThat's one of the themes in "Schismatrix": part of mankind turn their back on technology (blamed for disasters like the melting of the ice caps) and stay on Earth, remaining stagnant for centuries. The remainder, not allowed to go back to Earth, colonize the solar system and evolve into new species.
- webmaven 5y agoNot quite the same thing. The humanoids that populate the Culture belong to any number of entirely unrelated species that are capable of interbreeding through deliberate interventions (upgrades, really) that paper over the genetic, proteomic, biochemical, etc. differences. None of those species are related to Earth's Homo Sapiens, or to any other species belonging to Earth's biosphere (though I think there might have been an allusion or two to panspermia insofar as origin-of-life goes). So. When I say that Earth isn't part of the Culture, I mean to include anyone who has any Earth ancestors. OTOH, the Culture has had observers, agents, etc. visit Earth (after being appropriately retrofitted to resemble Earth humans at least anatomically, and optionally biochemically and genetically) on occasion, to determine whether to continue with the policy of nonintervention. In the Culture books published so far, the policy holds.