The Species That Eats The Universe | Culture

[@jlworrad]

Banks gave us the most hopeful and joyous of space operas. He truly believed in the essential goodness of people and it shows in his work, despite the darkness.

[@jasonjin5253]

We are raised to believe that the god emperor watches over us all, and so we are charged to cleanse the mutant the heretic and the alien

[@sienielain9222]

These all 40k references are making me sick.

[@jlworrad]

@@sienielain9222 Ironically, the easy going, Uber-liberal Culture could wipe away the 40k’s war-crazed Imperium and still have time to party after.

[@jasonjin5253]

@@sienielain9222 ahahaha bro jeez man it’s a tabletop game

[@jasonjin5253]

@@jlworrad I’m sure that’s what they all tell themselves at nite ;)

[@evilreligion]

My favourite sci-fi series. I literally cried when Banks died and realized there would be no new culture books. He was only 59. We were robbed of so many great stories due to his untimely death. Bank's death is up there with Douglas Adam's death, at a mere 49, in terms of society being robbed of great stories I think.

[@sekh765]

I've held off reading the final Culture book because I know when it's over then there won't be any more. Banks was truly an incredible writer and we lost so much when he died. There's really never been someone so unapologetically positive while keeping it grounded as Banks.

[@Anax100]

Same. I'm a writer and Banks was my #1 idol. When he died I felt like my reason for writing was gone. It was hard to get back into it.

[@sekh765]

@@Anax100 We could use more writers like Banks so good luck and god speed. Listening to him talk about making The Culture as the ultimate social democracy /functional anarchist society in response to all the militaristic / authoritarian scifi really made me start to notice how often those types of tropes appeared in Scifi. He was unique, and I hope he inspired more people to write that sort of scifi.

[@Valisk]

I was lucky enough to meet Iain on a couple of occasions in the ninties. He was such an amazing character, we got pissed drinking the free booze that the publisher laid on when he was promoting 'The Business'. It was a rainy night in a little town near Hull and hardly anyone showed up... I've read all his mainstream and Sci-Fi novels, but I just can't bring myself to read 'The Quarry'.

[@evilreligion]

@@Valisk Nice story! I would loved to have had a few choice drams with the man. "Raw spirit" was a really nice read, I just got the sense that he could not believe his luck in being asked to write a book about whisky! Being paid to drink nice whisky was, I think, in his mind, the pinnacle of success! He would have been a great drinking partner.

[@MrGibbonici]

Oh mate, definitely do more Culture videos. The series is laden with so many great ideas and concepts in every single book that you could do as many videos as you wanted on them, and they'd all be interesting. Banks was brilliant at coming up with massive ideas and making them work. It was a sad day when he left us.

[@iank472]

The Tyranids from Warhammer 40k fascinate me as a biologist. The concept of a swarm based interstellar society driven only by the imperative to consume biomass and grow without limit is really intriguing. The fact that there is a vague, never fully explained hive mind at work adds an additional dimension to the whole idea as well.

[@tnynfox1669]

Must agree even if a bit of stuff - communication and bio-drives - are a bit handwaved. I'm still convinced it would be far more efficient to collect nebulae via ramjet scoops, so much more biomass with so much less effort and risk.

[@isaacburrows8405]

@@tnynfox1669 convinced based on what? This is just something you thought seemed cool with some science words thrown in

[@TheSonOfDumb]

Would you really consider the Tyranids as having a society? They're just giant ants.

[@maxluong2]

I doubt its a new idea. Im not a scifi nerd but off top of head you have halo flood and borg start trek. Im sure the ever expanding tyrant race is a common scifi character

[@timwhite5562]

They were the first thing I thought of when he explained the Gray goo.

[@GB-sh9st]

My favorite scifi series... refreshingly optimistic (particularly regarding AI) yet still quite terrifying when needed

[@user-aRb00d3r]

if you think of it, Culture people are close to the pets for their AI... it is just very... cultured ☺

[@harzzachseniorgamer5516]

@@user-aRb00d3r Yup. The Minds (all artificial btw., none of them are biological) tend to the biological life forms of the Culture not because of some basic, fixed code they cannot escape, but out of a combination of serious boredom (the bane of all smart minds), some sense of duty and a peculiar fascination for these little worms. They dont have to, they choose to do so. Which is kind of terrifying ... but thats what trust is. The humanoids of the Culture trust their "machines" to do the right thing. A trust which was never broken or let down. Yes, its an utopia. Which is fine, because SF doesnt mean that everything has to be a dystopia.

[@BGeezy4sheezy]

It’s by far my favorite sci fi ever written. It’s so creative. The “Culture” novel that might be my favorite is “Inversions”, which is heavily disguised, with only a few Culture references

[@carljohan9265]

You should check out Orion's Arm. It's got some similarities.

[@Pete...NoNotThatOne]

He did have a knack for turning on the upsetting imagery and concepts when needed, didn’t he?

[@harrisonlewis4354]

By far one of my favorite sci fi series. I started with Consider Phlebas and was completely blown away. Iain Banks is a phenomenal writer who has a way of describing fantastical ideas, peoples and places without the reader feeling overwhelmed or lost. Phlebas is probably the best place to start with the series since it gives you an outsider's perspective of the Culture.

[@clarkthompson8094]

I agree. Read and listened to this novel several times. The Player of Games is another favorite. I'm reading Matter now. The depth within these books is unlike any other. It stays with me long after I have finished it.

[@DC-sd1lw]

That was my first culture book too. Got me hooked

[@wesh8121]

I've only ever read "excession". I didn't know it was a series and it stands as one of my favorite books. I don't know where it stands in the series but I had to do a lot of extrapolation from context clues, til they eventually looped back around and explained things.

[@chrisnotaperson8127]

@@wesh8121 it's not a series in any sense that you'd have to read them in order. There are few characters that show up in more than one book. You can read them in any order really. Excession is usually my favorite but I have a soft spot for all of them. Which ever one I read last is probably the one I would describe as my favorite at any point in time.

[@DC-sd1lw]

@@wesh8121 Secession is great. Surface detail is my favourite so far

[@Thatfuckingduck]

The Culture series has so many interesting ideas, themes and civilizations, I'd love to see more videos.

[@Cernunnnos]

It does, its such a shame its prose is dull as dishwater. I think I gave up halfway through the second book because I was just so uninterested. Which is really annoying, because I love the lore he built.

[@rafale1981]

@@Cernunnnos thats a pity, which books did you read? It’s true that banks isn’t up there with e.g. frank herbert

[@stamfordly6463]

Mad as ferret civilisations and utterly bonkers megastructures, the Culture books have it all AND Banks also wrote about an "anti-Culture" in The Algebraist.

[@rafale1981]

@@stamfordly6463 the algebraist is actually a fantastic book in and of itself

[@GillfigGarstang]

@@rafale1981 Wait you think the Culture series was dull but Dune wasn’t?

[@jimpollard9392]

One of Banks' more entertaining ideas: the whimsical, sometimes hilarious names of the sentient ships.

[@dennishennigan3666]

Spoilers ahead Favorite one is the warship named "No More Mister Nice Guy."

[@DecoyJayc]

You Don't Say

[@edgarjones6824]

Aww mate, them ships were too good by far, sometimes you'd gloss thru the story just to get to a ship conversation. Luckilly Mr Bank's work would command a re read so you you could catch what you'd glossed first time

[@ThomasTee]

@@dennishennigan3666 "Where Were You When They Handed Out Gravitas?"

[@Valisk]

Well, this is a bit of a Grey Area.

[@shumookerjee293]

So glad you're finally covering The Culture Series! A lot of what makes these books great is how Banks riffs on common sci-fi tropes (space opera, monolithic warlike aliens, first contact, etc...) in an almost satirical way while using his Utopian civilization as the lens.

[@MichaelEilers]

Recasting the Federation as chaotic neutral with no prime directive gave this man soooo many pages of material, it’s awesome. I believe why Banks’ books work so well is because despite all the technology and being flung so far into the future, the books are tremendously character-centric and personal, and you spend a lot of time inside the head of nonhuman and “human” characters. If only there wasn’t so many books to read, it can be intimidating.

[@alanpennie8013]

Good point.

[@Kelloggs95]

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[@Kelloggs95]

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[@Kelloggs95]

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[@Kelloggs95]

PPP to 0

[@startingfromlevelone9510]

Use of Weapons is one of my favorite sci-fi books. I love the combination of heavy sci-fi, literary writing, and playing with the structure of narrative.

[@wellthatwasdaft]

The Culture series! So glad to see you cover this; it's my favourite series in any genre. The sheer imagination that's in the worldbuilding is some of the best in sci-fi, but the stories still manage to be character-driven. I'll literally talk anyone's ear off about the series if they sit still long enough, and you should read them now. The whole subject of this video - hegemonising swarms - are enough to fill a whole sci-fi series in and of themselves, but in the Culture series they're something of an afterthought, minor plot points that rear their head every now and again. There are references to them being a major galaxy-wide scourge in the distant past, but at the time of the books the galactic meta-civilisation is complex and well-established, with various high-level Involved civilisations having forces on perpetual standby to deal with outbreaks as and when they occur, so they're more a minor nuisance than a serious threat (though still quite capable of killing a lot of people before they're detected and smothered). They generally get dealt with disdainfully to the point that biological pan-humans even go on clean-up missions to eradicate them as a sort of high-stakes form of entertainment or sport.

[@frankmontez6853]

What book is the swarm in ?

[@wellthatwasdaft]

@@frankmontez6853In Surface Detail, a swarm is unleashed inside a sort of cloud of ancient shipbuilding megastructures in order to (SPOILERS SPOILERS) disguise the fact that someone is actually using the megastructure to build a fleet. A section of the cloud is induced to go rogue, but its constituent factories can't be simply destroyed because they're such ancient and revered artefacts.

[@frankmontez6853]

@@wellthatwasdaft and I guess if they really posed a threat to the culture they’re toast?

[@wellthatwasdaft]

@@frankmontez6853 That or they get gently tweaked to make them a bit more talkative and reasonable. After all, they're arguably a legitimate form of life that's just a bit overzealous.

[@frankmontez6853]

@@wellthatwasdaft just a tad , they consume you if they can 😂🤣😆

[@localhearthian2387]

Definetly interested in hearing more about the Culture. Thanks for covering it.

[@UtahGmaw99]

I have been following you for years and I am always amazed at how awesome your content always is. I am 70 and have been around sci fi since I was a teen. I grew up with Asimov, Dick and Heinlein and the others. You do a great job keeping me up to date. Thank you Sugar.👍

[@hazel7296]

Banks was a true optimist. The author that captures the same optimism today is (imo) Becky Chambers. They have very different strengths and tell very different stories but both have huge optimism for a multicultural future. What interests me about Chambers is that she centers individual small scale personal storylines. Banks focused a much larger scope of story, told with a wider focus. My favorite thing from Banks is the concept of Soulkeeper tech and the ways that a civ developing it marks a major turning point.

[@HuplesCat]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@stevenkunkle3857]

There's probably nothing to it, but I've repeatedly heard there's a soul trao on the moon. Terrifying if true, with equally terrifying implications.

[@masonarcher]

I don’t remember seeing anything about soul keeper tech in the Culture series. I know they backed up people and minds. Google says it is backing up of a person’s emotional state and mind at time of death?

[@mikemulvey5789]

As someone who is buried in school, work, and life responsibilities, but still a fan of sci fi, these videos are amazing. I seldom have the time to read anything in the realm of fiction but your explanations of these series allow me to appreciate these unique universes anyway. Keep up the great content!

[@IanBarker2021]

Excited you're covering The Culture series now!

[@IanBarker2021]

Some great topics to cover: 1. Subliming 2. Quietus, relife, and virtual heavens and hells 3. Excession and Outside Context Problems 4. The blurry boundaries of The Culture and how this frustrates more imperial cultures 5. Azad, the culture centered around a single game of vast complexity 6. Contact, Special Circumstances, and their offshoots 7. The Idiran War as a backdrop to all the later books 8. The shell world in Matter 9. The ship names Also, Banks has some really well-written prose and I hope you make use of some choice quotes across the novels.

[@tdsdave]

@@IanBarker2021 On 2) as a hard core atheist I was so repulsed at the the notion of a religion that ensured it's version of an afterlife happened using technology . It was an idea really off the beaten track , v cool.

[@IanBarker2021]

@@tdsdave How appropriate that [spoilers] the person who profited from hosting virtual hells was also a slave owner

[@carolynallisee2463]

Yay! Thank you, Quinn! The Culture series is a fantastic read, and one I can't get enough of. I just wish he'd lived longer, so he could give us more of these wonderful SF books.

[@SalvatoreEscoti]

I love the Culture series. And I love that Spaceships name themselves, and those names are very special like “Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The“. or another spaceship named itself “Unacceptable Behaviour“ , “I Blame My Mother” and “I Blame Your Mother". And there even much more crazier names

[@Narapoia1]

One of my favourites is 'I said, I've got a big stick' - but you have to say it quietly.

[@Botkilla2K12]

Finally put out a culture series vid! I've been looking forward to this for so long after listening to the audiobooks. Thank you so much!

[@peterluvaas]

I want to see you do more videos on, "The Culture" series. I really appreciate your perspective. I started watching your videos because I love, The Hyperion Series, Foundation Series, and Dune Series, and your videos on them really gave them a new dimension for me. I also really appreciate that you've introduced me to series that I might never have heard about, like the Three Body Problem, which I recently read after watching your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your passion.

[@nicoboogfinejewellery4783]

sooo happy to see you covering Ian M Banks Culture novels at last!!! More of these please! Theres sooo much to cover in them

[@matthewconstantine5015]

I've only read Consider Phlebas, but I definitely want to read more. That book was WILD. Heavy ideas, grand & sweeping space-opera action, some really grim stuff, and as you said, some humor. It's a lot. But it was also a really fun read. Like, I never found it dull or got bogged down.

[@Botkilla2K12]

Use of Weapons & Player of Games (The next 2 books in the series) are also amazing reads and arguably better than Consider Phlebas. Player of Games has a more conventional linear plot, so is definitely easier to get into

[@Cernunnnos]

@@Botkilla2K12 I stopped reading palmer of games about halfway through. The writing style really didn't work for me, I couldn't be less invested in the characters. I'd fought my through Phlebas because I liked the themes so much. But the characters are so flat and bland I just can't get invested.

[@513pollo]

I think my favorite is Look to Windward... So prescient!

[@Botkilla2K12]

@@513pollo I'll have to give that one a look

[@wellthatwasdaft]

@@Cernunnnos Use of Weapons is where the series really kicks off. It's the one he tried to write first, when he was still at university, only to come back to it many years later. It's written very *very* cleverly and you can tell that he's really managed to flex his literary author muscles by that point in his career. It doesn't make a lot of sense until the very end when it all comes crashing together, but it's entirely character-driven. I would avoid further spoilers at all costs, but I will just say that it broke me and made me finally fall in love with the series after coasting ambivalently through the first two books.

[@hippocritic]

I've read all the culture novels. Alongside Greg Bear, Iain M banks is my joint favourite scifi writer. It's such a shame there will be no more culture stories, Iain died way too soon. Would love to see more videos.

[@nhennessy6434]

I discovered his works in the year of his death. Boy was I bummed.

[@thedayidied]

I haven't read any of these books, so when I saw this title, I thought you were gonna be talking about the Tyranids lol. But this is also fascinating. The Tyranids seem like they are possibly influenced in their behavior and type of "civilization" by sources such as this. These books sound fascinating. Thanks for discussing this series, I'll be adding it to my queue of sci-fi I need to check out.

[@markjmacrae]

Been looking forward to hearing about the Culture in this series; it’s by far my favourite sci-fi series. The underlying hopeful idea is so uplifting (despite the sometimes extreme darkness of other races in the series).

[@Soppaisfree]

Quinn you should do a video where you describe different series shortly and recommend them to different people etc coz you cover so many cool series and I bet there are more so I would love to hear. I'm now reading first book of Three-Body Problem due to your videos and I love it

[@cflamingo2486]

I love this channel...so unique and high quality content. Criminally underrated

[@eovarendre7877]

@quinn awesome video yet again! Each time I try not to watch entire clips because I want to read your suggestions myself. But I get caught up and captivated by your narration and comments so much that I forget....

[@thepsion5]

I''m completely psyched that you're covering some of The Culture novels!

[@GordonKelly-lb6of]

I immersed myself in the Culture many years ago and was distraught when Iain died. There are so many aspects to these books but my favourite is Player of Games. The depth of the character analysis in the book is profound and the denouement of the story is quite superb with a breathtaking episode of about 14 pages as we reach the crescendo of the tale. This one book would make a superb film. I really hope that you can explore this genius's work. Aye. Fraser.

[@hoflwaffle]

Yes, please do more videos on the Culture! The Culture Novels by Iain M. Banks are hands down my favourite.

[@bigsarge2085]

Banks' Culture series is easily in my top three scifi of all time! So rich.

[@fizzyheart2486]

Dude thanks so much. I just found your channel andnow ive got tons of great books on my list. Great work and overview of this series without spoiling anything.

[@jasonjin5253]

We are raised to believe that the god emperor watches over us all, and so we are charged to cleanse the mutant the heretic and the alien

[@remisteele8904]

The Culture series has been a favorite of mine for a long time, even on par with Dune. Banks world-building lends itself so well to thinking about this universe beyond just the words on the page, his humor is top-notch, and I'd love to see you cover some of these awesome themes.

[@divozo4424]

I love the background and intro music in your videos Quinn!

[@alandworsky8926]

OMG Yes! This is amazing more Culture content please!

[@Paul_W_222]

Stoked that you're covering The Culture series. One of the most most well thought out and complex sci-fi universess out there.

[@sheldorleconcher8870]

Love the Culture! And the names the sentient ships give themselves are hilarious! I would very much like to hear more about this series - I've only read about half of the books so far, and not in order.

[@lowrider81hd]

Uh oh are my favorite KZbin channel of all genres I follow! Thank you so much for keeping me interested and astonished continuously.

[@user-aRb00d3r]

Culture is one of the best series of modern time! Despite being heavily inspired by Strugatskie brothers' works, it added so much to the genre, definitely must read for scifi and space opera fans.

[@johnfyten3392]

I love it! Ian M. Banks was on top of his game when he sadly passed too young. Great that you are covering The Culture. One of my favorite series

[@FailcopterWes]

One thing I find wonderful in the Culture books is the alternative to that expansion, Subliming. After being hinted at throughout the series, finally seeing the process of a civillisation accepting it has reached its peak and ascending together is a great way to end a series...and probably was somewhat influenced by Banks' own failing health at the time.

[@hendrikbarboritsch7003]

Yes please describe more of the series! I think I read 4 or 5 of them. Brilliant how Banks makes us admire the Culture at first, then critisizes it as well. There is lots of humour, horror, fantasy and fun to be enjoyed.

[@MaliciousChickenAgenda]

I've read the first 3 culture novels and I own a few others that I've yet to read (I have a signed first edition copy of Look to windward). They're thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining stories that are amongst my favourite sci fi novels. Definitely need to get back into reading my other culture books now after seeing this video 😊

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

Thank you for covering this series. Banks was a unique voice and I miss waiting for his next book to come out. I've read all of his books, and enjoy his fiction even more than his science fiction. His command of dialog, especially the accents and idiomatic speech of people from different parts/classes/etc. of the UK is unmatched. Also, as a world builder, I'm still amazed at the sheer vastness of the ideas he tackles, on the scale of Dune or Foundation, but with his unique sense of humor and absurdism. Your output is so well produced, presented and thought provoking. Keep it up. Thanks again

[@igorlukyan206]

PLEASE do a video essay on the book Roadside Picnic by the Strugatsky brothers. Fascinating stuff

[@user-aRb00d3r]

yes, it is really intetesting to know the opinion of western scifi expert fan on those books.

[@paulfirenze7213]

Quinn I love this channel. Been listening for years now. Great stuff and has opened me up to new and interesting stories. Great job man

[@IareZeke]

Love this series, would be interested in your take on each of the books one by one. Also, "the algebraist" is not a culture novel but one of Ian M Banks' best settings

[@jlworrad]

I was fortunate enough to talk to the guy now and then and he once told me he’d had an idea for an Algebraist sequel or at least a novel set in that universe. It was going to involve the political fallout of the final events in Algebraist. It wasn’t a definite next step for Iain but it was definitely sat in his pile of possibilities. A great what-if…

[@Narapoia1]

@@jlworrad Oh man - that's a real pity. Would have been epic to have another one in that world. The story I heard at some point was that we was feeling a bit down on science fiction and was contemplating writing no more books in the genre. But he decided to write one more and see if he could make it something he was happy with and that found an audience. Now, I love the Culture series, but I think The Algebraist is probably his best single book - and he was happy with it as well, and wrote a few more culture books afterwards.

[@jlworrad]

@@Narapoia1 His concern was he might not be able to create a whole new SF universe again and Algebraist was his attempt to prove to himself he could. I think it’s fair to say he still could! 😄

[@Narapoia1]

@@jlworrad Ahh, Ok that makes sense, I heard that years ago so forgot the detail in the intervening time. It feels like he overshot the mark a little due to his concern hah - he really created something special.

[@jlworrad]

@@Narapoia1 Yeah, absolutely.

[@kevinkelsey9845]

Glad you're finally getting to the Culture series. IMO the best SF that has ever been written.

[@simpaticode]

Yes on the Culture, and yes on Banks' other somewhat related work like "The Algebraist". Note that the Culture is so powerful defending against hegemonizing swarms is considered shit duty for young Minds. My favorite in the universe is Excession, because it shows the Culture dealing with something outside of it's capability. Sometimes people recommend "Player of Games" as a first culture novel. Surprised you didn't mention another important type of civ in the universe, the sublimed.

[@Zone1242]

Banks is my favourite SF author. I've read all his SF books and most of them more than once. It's a real shame he died so young.

[@sushijones]

Really cool to see you touching on the Culture series, it's one of my favourite series!

[@matthewbull10]

Iain Banks is by far my favourite sci fi author of all time. Incredibly well written, highly detailed with fantastic characters. But most of all the Culture itself is fascinating.

[@teppich626]

Yesss. Please make more Culture content

[@liamshiels8626]

The Culture is possibly the sci fi universe most designed around the themes that the author wanted to explore. What would a benign dictatorship look like? What about a society built on cultural cache? What about a culture that relishes in imorality (the Affront)? Loved it....when I could understand it.

[@Brendanslittlelegs]

More culture! I love this series and would love you hear Quin talk about it!

[@CopperLontra]

I read the first book in the series and found it very enjoyable but it didn't feel like the beginning of a series and could easily be a stand alone. I'm glad that you mention that aspect of it. Are the other books in the series similar in that way? Could I pick up any of them and it be a similar stand alone experience?

[@garethmitchell7723]

Pretty much all of them are stand alone iirc been a few years since I last read them.

[@4_am]

As Gareth says i would very much agree they are stand alone, not to much of an order you to read them in.

[@fnordiumendures138]

They are very self contained. I think only a single character (the Chairmaker) turns up in two books. The rest is all new situations, places and people.

[@Cursalock]

They’re basically standalone but there’s some thematic threads and a couple of characters between them. I’d still recommend you read them basically in order of publication.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@Cursalock It's very like Le Guin's Ekumen (Hainish) series in that respect, though not in others.

[@glitterpede]

I'm so thrilled you're doing videos on the Culture

[@OneEyedJack1970]

This concept is explored in the second season of Lexx, as Mantrid consumes the entirety of the Light Universe, and then causes a Big Crunch by chasing after the crew of the Lexx, who had retreated to the center of it (and ended up escaping into the Dark Zone through a singularity). Definitely the weirdest show I've ever seen -- sort of a cross between sci-fi, gothic horror, and dark comedy.

[@alanpennie8013]

Rowan Coleman has released a couple of videos about this extremely obscure show (kind of like a Eurotrash take on Farscape).

[@dreamingghost306]

Quinn you are an inspiration brother, even when i already know the books you talk about, i love your way the present it. A fan from France 🇫🇷

[@marcusblackwell2372]

If you want another science fiction series to cover, check out the book series Mortal Engines. It's not a space opera like most of the books you cover, but it still has a fascinating world, and a huge question about morality. Edit: I also would, if it's not too much trouble, like more The Culture videos

[@Cursedzeba]

Ah yeah I never thought of them as scifi but I guess it is a post apocalypse scifi

[@marcusblackwell2372]

@@Cursedzeba And also the Traction Cities are certainly not described as anything in Fantasy

[@WardDorrity]

This series is one of my all time favorites. Iain Banks works are of vaulting imagination and extraordinary concepts. Not to mention a wry and frequently wicked sense of humor woven throughput all of his works. His ship names alone will have you laughing out loud. One of his most haunting works is a stand alone, non-Culture related work, Against a Dark Background. Highly recommended. And yes, Quinn, I would love to hear more from you on this subject.

[@jamesjastrzebski1536]

The Culture is a definite favorite of mine. I'd love to hear your take on the various books, and the world building itself, since Banks created something truly remarkable. Also, I would LOVE a tour of your bookcase. It looks great!

[@billbrasky2780]

Please do more of this series. Watch your channel all the time and the Culture is my favorite series.

[@elevown]

The swarms in this sound like tyranids from the 40k universe.. I wonder which came first? I think tyranids go back to about 1988? Though a lot of the lore about the tyranid swarms came later. There's lots of lore videos on them like by Luetin09's if you are not familiar with 40k.. Im sure you'd love the setting given how grimdark and extensive it is.

[@nathanodonovan6708]

Consider Phelebas was published in 1987, the same year the Tyranids were first mentioned. The tyranids aren't the first such entities in sci fi, far from it, but they've definitely taken over the niche of a 'biological hegemonising swarm' in a big way.

[@FoggySwe]

Came here to say this.

[@Datan0de]

Delighted to see you mention Engines of Creation! That book changed my life, and rewrote my concept of our potential.

[@DemonDaze251]

I totally forgot I had read Phlebas, it's sooo amazing. Thank you for showing other people these books. They will definitely love the journey it takes them on and the thoughts they can bring.

[@jeffreydanese9260]

Thanks Quinn for introducing The Culture novels of Ian Banks!! I would like to add that in addition to the laugh-out-loud humor, Banks was able to instill some profoundly cathartic tragedy, grief, sadness, redemption, self-sacrifice in some truly surprising contexts - so you may find yourselves crying out loud as well...for the full range of human moral elevation shared and achieved by machine-minds and human characters in these novels. Brilliant and compassionate vision of the future for sure!! Cheers and 99% Revolution Now!

[@candlestyx8517]

I love cosmic horror, and being exposed to other sci fi universes; your channel is a gold mine of good content.

[@aenea22980]

Love the Culture series, especially Player of Games. Hope you do more videos for these wonderful books!

[@bigJ-Allday1]

I have become such a huge fan of your channel and I’m super fascinated with this series

[@AnMTtr]

Thank you for getting to Culture, it's one of my favorite series of all time. Look forward to many more videos in this line.

[@kayladawn]

I'm so in LOVE with your library 💕

[@fredericbastiat5653]

It's always cool to explore concepts, you've done well.

[@callmesly5626]

I don't really have time to read anything more, but you keep causing me to add new titles/series to my list! :D

[@stamfordly6463]

Thanks for this Quinn, Banks' work is such a contrast to the universe of Dune, not just technologically but philosophically and economically that I think one is really missing out if one doesn't read both. Ironically for a series about a "post human" civilisation they are, like the work of Banks' contemporary Pratchett, deeply humane books. Also "HegSwarm", what an acronym.

[@piotrekn3127]

I don't read much SF but I really like this channel nevertheless. Great job with the production and narration. Speaking of post-scarcity civilizations that try to advance the development of others, are you familiar with the work of the famous Soviet duo, the Strugatsky brothers? They created a whole series of books where they explore these very concepts. One that comes to my mind now is "Hard to be a God", which delves into the question of do's and don't's of "progressing" other civilizations. Another book by them, and probably much better-known is "A Roadside Picnic", a bitter and humbling version of the First Contact where humanity is shown as mindlessly scavenging incomprehensible artifcats dumped by aliens. Cheers from Poland, and keep up the great job :D

[@thelemonwho]

What I'd give to have access to this man's library... Thanks for sharing so much with the world, you amazing human being!

[@scottabc72]

Definitely would love to see more on the Culture series. When I saw the thumbnail 'the worst kind of civilization' I thought it was going to be about the Affront but agree that hegemonizing swarms are pretty much the worst.

[@remcodezwart2654]

I just recently stumbled upon your channel. You got me really interested in this type of sci-fi, so I ordered a few Banks and Peter Watts books that should arrive next week. Thanks man!

[@bloodydru]

i love your channel so much!!! i just noticed the junji ito manga in the background!! that made me super happy! keep up the amazing videos

[@ougi2351]

Just found your channel and I love your vids! so excited to have years of content to dive through

[@ellaminnope1222]

Just the Quinn’s Ideas intro music is enough to get me hyped for content.

[@edgarjones6824]

Ian Banks was a wonderful human being, I really miss having him and his ideas around. Thanks Quinn, for this wonderfully structured précis of his work.

[@lachlanwelsh5880]

Doing culture video essays could be seen as very obvious for someone in your position Quinn. Some might see it as an easy way to generate content, a cop out, lazy etc. However, no one - as far as I am aware - has consistently, deeply, done the Culture novels justice. The need for people in your position to live up to the expectations of the viewers/readers has I am certain prevented others doing the dive. Based on your previous work I am extremely hopeful you will succeed (tho you will need to work damn hard to ensure you will deliver in a way that will make yourself completely proud). So please - have at it! I am positive I will watch everything you do on the Culture/Banks. Can’t wait for more from you!

[@kingkunda]

Love this book series! I have them all, about half way through reading them. Glad your tackling it!

[@METT-TC]

Finally doing the culture! Thank you so much, I've been waiting for this for a while.

[@Patrick-nl4zp]

Grey goo also gets called a paperclip replicator in a much more humurous situation. Love these ideas haha

[@RexRoss77]

You make the most inspiring and deep thought provoking videos ever on KZbin. I'm eternally grateful for your channel and quality content you keep putting out. I think it was due to you and Media Death Cult on here that got me not only interested in this series but the Three Body Problem as well. Keep up all the great work as you definitely have a long term loyal fan and friend here with me.

[@EdmontonRealEstate01]

This sounds like an awesome series and I’m now going to read it. A series you might want to consider if you haven’t read it already, is the Rift War saga by Raymond E. Feist. Their are four original books: Magician Apprentice; Magician Master; Silver Thorn; and A Darkness at Sethanon. The premise of the series is the invasion of a Kingdom called the Kingdom of the Isles from another planet called Kellewan by an empire called Tsuranuanni. When they first accidentally create the rift and step through it, the Tsuranuanni find the planet they are on rich in metals, something their planet lacks. It is quickly decided to conquer this planet for its riches and the story ensues from there. A great parallel series starts with a book called Daughter of the Empire and is comprised of three books. This series gives you insights and perspectives of the Tsuranuanni Empire whereas the original series gives you more of the invaded planet’s perspective through the eyes of the people of the Kingdom of the Isles. I’m guessing you’re more of a sci fi reader, but you won’t be disappointed with the Rift War saga. The first chapter of the first book is all you’ll need to be convinced of that as Raymond E. Feist paints an amazing story that you’ll greatly enjoy as you get lost in it.

[@DreadMerlot]

The Culture is one of my favorite series, so thanks for this video! Please do make more! I also agree that although Banks covers many really "heavy" topics, his humor is totally laugh-out-loud. My favorite book (it's close) is Excession, and I especially loved the Affront civilization. A bunch of huge tentacled warriors with shit attitudes.

[@bakedsims5478]

I have a huge problem retaining what I read so reading a lengthy series or even just a longer than average book is difficult for me so your videos are a very welcome medium for me. Keep up the great videos!

[@radagast25a]

Quinn - I want you to know that of "fun" websites, you are by FAR my favorite. Better than Nerd of the Rings, better than absolutely anything that I am subscribed to just for fun - and for me fun is pretty much fantasy/sci-fi/gaming. I would even rank you above almost every subscription I have overall - in academics, the occult, theology, ufos/uaps, and politics as well as fantasy/sci-fi/gaming. You truly rock. Thank you for your wonderful content. I found you due to Dune, but I stay due to, well... you.

[@sammiller6631]

YAY! I've been waiting for the Culture to show up.

[@escapadesend6133]

been waiting for these videos. gotta love the culture novels

[@janetdibernardo9471]

I dont know what I just watched,but I watched the whole thing n that was amazing!great job!Salute.

[@JohnPatrickCarroll]

I'd love to see more Quinn's Ideas videos about The Culture.

[@hassanshahid5832]

Love you videos man. Honestly it gets me through some days. I have always had a concept to write a sci fi book i start then scrap your videos make we want to write more and practice