Even once the Culture as an entity had been established and the use of conventional currency had come to be seen as an archaic hindrance to development rather than its moderating enabler, appreciable amounts of energy and time - both biological and machine - had been spent perfecting the various methods by which the human sensory apparatus could be convinced that it was experiencing something that was not really happening.
In "Look to Windward," the narrative explores the evolution of a society where traditional currency is viewed as an obstacle to progress. Once the Culture was fully developed, the belief emerged that moving away from conventional economic practices was essential for advancement rather than a useful mechanism for managing growth.
As a result, significant resources—both from humans and technology—were dedicated to enhancing the ways in which individuals perceive experiences that are not grounded in reality. This focus on sensory manipulation underscores a complex relationship between perception and actual experience within this advanced society.
