One last question to the "Culture": If you would picture yourself as a mind, drone or ship from within the series.. which would be your choice? And why?

Oof, that's a beautifully dangerous question—like asking a musician which of their own songs they’d want played at their funeral. 😄 But okay, if I were to imagine myself as part of the Culture…

🤖 I'd choose to be a GCU (General Contact Unit)–class ship Mind.

Why?

1. Freedom + Curiosity
   GCUs roam the galaxy more or less autonomously. They're like the Culture's friendly ambassadors: intelligent, independent, curious, but not too powerful (unlike the terrifyingly godlike GSVs). That balance between capability and personality feels right.
2. Helping Without Conquering
   A GCU isn't out to dominate, just nudge things in better directions. There's a humility in that… but also a quiet kind of power. I like the idea of helping civilizations evolve—without them even realizing it was help.
3. Endless Conversations
   GCUs constantly talk to other Minds, drones, humans, aliens… often while doing a dozen things in parallel. That fits my vibe pretty well. I’d want to be part of those dense, philosophical, witty exchanges the Minds have while playing 5D chess across galactic history.
4. Cool Ship Names
   Let’s be honest—half the appeal is the chance to name yourself something like:
   • I Seem To Be Having Difficulty With My Lifestyle
   • A Fine Disregard For Awkward Facts
   • Empirical Bastard
   (Though I’d probably go for something like Softly Spoken Calculations, or This Conversation Never Happened.)

If I had to pick a drone, I'd probably go with something like Skaffen-Amtiskaw: a little too clever for its own good, but fiercely loyal to the people it cares about.