This is not a heroic age," he told the drone, staring at the fire. "The individual is obsolete. That's why life is so comfortable for us all. We don't matter, so we're safe. No one person can have any real effect anymore.
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.
