In "The Player of Games" by Iain M. Banks, a character reflects on the diminished role of the individual in contemporary society. He suggests that the age of heroism has passed, leading to a life of comfort and safety. With the obsolescence of individual significance, people feel secure, as their actions are no longer impactful on a grand scale.

This perspective raises questions about personal agency and the collective experience of life. While comfort may be prevalent, it also implies a loss of deeper significance, where individual contributions are rendered inconsequential. This critique highlights a tension between safety and the heroic potential of individuals to effect change.