[db48x]

This is abuse of power in these books, sometimes even quite blatant. Player of Games has probably the best example, since it has blackmail and extortion of a Culture citizen by an AI, with the help of a ship's Mind. Not to mention cheating at a board game.

That said, the Culture does seem like it would be a nice place to live, over all.

[MichaelGG]

The Culture series of books are the most uplifting things I've read. They just make me feel great, especially the parts that take place on Orbitals (apart from the strange shit in the first book).

[db48x]

You might also enjoy Constellation Games, by Leonard Richardson (http://constellation.crummy.com/).