The Culture, as depicted in Iain M. Banks' "Consider Phlebas," fundamentally prioritized machines over human intellect, even before the Idiran war was considered. This preference stemmed from the Culture's belief in the superiority of machines, particularly sentient ones, in achieving rationality and efficiency. The society valued a self-aware rationality that they believed machines could better embody.

This conviction led the Culture to invest heavily in technological advancements, trusting that machines could not only reach their desired rational state but also optimize its use. Consequently, the Culture's reliance on machines shaped its identity and influenced its approach to societal development and conflict.