neuralink is the only thing close to a satisfying answer i’ve heard, fwiw
@micsolana i was just thinking the other day how relieved I'd be if the Culture actually showed up and were like, "yeah, we're here, you're all good, cruises for everyone who wants them."
@walkingaddict42 @micsolana Start with Player of Games - mind you, the first 60 pages can be slow, because it lacks tension. Bc when you live in a post-scarcity society, you don't really have scary problems. @PeterKennyVoice narrates them fantastically, if you read with your ears like I do
@walkingaddict42 @micsolana @PeterKennyVoice Oh definitely finish it. It's a good read as well. I just think PoG is a more refined introduction to the Culture b/c the story compares a civilization a bit closer to our own - Pheblas is more alien. Surface Detail is also excellent, though they are all great.
@LiveSimulator @walkingaddict42 @micsolana @PeterKennyVoice agreed, I've read Phlebas and PoG in that order and I would recommend people read PoG first—but they're both excellent & it's fine to read them in either order as long as you do read both of them :)