The quote from Iain M. Banks' "Surface Detail" suggests that intelligence, when separated from physical embodiment, becomes a peculiar and constrained entity. It implies that our understanding and consciousness are inherently tied to our physical experiences and bodies, making it difficult to fully grasp intelligence in isolation. This perspective challenges the notion that intellect exists independently from the physical world.

Moreover, the author emphasizes that the specifics of one’s physical form can significantly shape personality and character. Our physical characteristics and the experiences related to them play a vital role in defining who we are, indicating that to separate intelligence from physicality is to overlook a fundamental aspect of human existence and identity.