The quote suggests that even the most refined and cultured societies, known for their civility and empathy, can still be fundamentally flawed. It implies that beneath the veneer of sophistication, there lie primitive instincts or chaotic elements that make up civilization.

Iain M. Banks uses the term "hegswarm" to illustrate that such societies are not as orderly or elevated as they appear. This expression reflects the idea that even in highly developed cultures, a sense of balance and proportion is crucial, hinting at the underlying conflicts or turbulence that exists below the surface of civility.