In Iain M. Banks' "Consider Phlebas," the Culture is depicted as a highly advanced society that fulfills the desires and needs of its inhabitants, including both humans and artificial intelligences. Despite the abundance provided by this utopia, there remains a universal yearning among its members, including the machines, to avoid the feeling of uselessness. This desire reflects a deep-seated aspect of existence that challenges the very essence of how one perceives their value in a seemingly perfect environment.

Ultimately, the struggle against the sensation of being ineffective reveals a fundamental truth about consciousness and self-worth. Even in a society that provides everything one could wish for, the concern of feeling inadequate persists, highlighting the complexity of identity and purpose. Banks illustrates that regardless of technological advancements or societal achievements, the quest for meaning resonates deeply within both biological and synthetic forms of life.