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There's the Culture model of machine -> humanoid symbiosis, but it's far less likely, sadly.

• javajosh 3y ago
  Humanoids aren't 'symbiotic' with Minds. They are thoroughly unnecessary but the Minds keep them around for amusement and company. They are pets. It's a critical problem with his universe, even though it is a lot of fun to just ignore it.
  • Matl 3y ago
    Well, ok, I said symbiotic because I dodn't want to go into the weeds and yes strictly speaking it's not the right term, be it it's also not as simple as you imply. There are humanoids that are assumed to be (at least nearly) as smart as some Minds, be it they number in the low tens, one of the reasons that Minds do keep biological humanoids around is because they're sometimes surprised by their (perhaps irrational) but interesting point of view, there's also a point of pride amongst the Minds as to who can be more emphatic towards the humanoids, so it's not as simple as you say, be it that wasn't my point.