I've read the Culture series (Ian will be missed), and it certainly is very utopia-like. But at the same time, you have to wonder if the Minds are actually the

I've read the Culture series (Ian will be missed), and it certainly is very utopia-like. But at the same time, you have to wonder if the Minds are actually the ones in control. While most of the ships are on the up-and-up, the ones that are members of Special Circumstances seem to be much more pragmatic about achieving their desired results.