In "Excession" by Iain M. Banks, the author explores the theme of desperation stemming from poverty and its impact on human behavior. The phrase highlights how extreme need can lead individuals to act in ways that are morally questionable or low in dignity. It suggests that when people are pressed by financial hardships, their thoughts and actions can become corrupted, leading to choices that may not align with their values or ethics. This concept raises important questions about the societal structures that contribute to such desperation. It underscores the idea that external conditions, such as wealth inequality, can profoundly affect human dignity and integrity. By illustrating the ignobility born from these circumstances, Banks invites readers to reflect on the broader implications of poverty and the potential for loss of agency that comes with it.

In "Excession" by Iain M. Banks, the author explores the theme of desperation stemming from poverty and its impact on human behavior. The phrase highlights how extreme need can lead individuals to act in ways that are morally questionable or low in dignity. It suggests that when people are pressed by financial hardships, their thoughts and actions can become corrupted, leading to choices that may not align with their values or ethics.

This concept raises important questions about the societal structures that contribute to such desperation. It underscores the idea that external conditions, such as wealth inequality, can profoundly affect human dignity and integrity. By illustrating the ignobility born from these circumstances, Banks invites readers to reflect on the broader implications of poverty and the potential for loss of agency that comes with it.