In Iain M. Banks' "Against a Dark Background," a conversation unfolds between a woman and a machine. The machine firmly grasps her hand and comments on the nature of regret, suggesting that it is a uniquely human emotion. This prompts her to respond with skepticism. The exchange reveals the differing perspectives between humans and machines regarding emotions and the validity of feelings like regret.

As the machine releases her hand, it implies that regret may not hold true significance and is merely a narrative people construct for themselves. This intriguing dialogue highlights the philosophical exploration of human emotions in contrast to the logical viewpoint of machines, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of regret and emotional experience.