[akomtu]

Minds keep humans as pets.

[arethuza]

I can see why you might think that - but people and machines and groups are free to leave if they want - at least one of the Culture stories is based on this: e.g. "A Gift from the Culture".

[lambdaone]

Free-to-roam pets are still pets. The Minds are benevolent dictators, and generally seek not to be seen as such by humans.

[TheOtherHobbes]

What would the Minds do if all humans wanted to leave?

[arethuza]

Probably sublime... who knows!