Many people feel "consider phlebas" to be one of the weakest in the culture novels, though I really like it as an intro to the series. A big reason the abominable intelligence recommended starting with the second book, player of games.
The tone and perspective shift WILDLY through the series, so I'd highly recommend picking up one of the other books and giving it a try.
If it makes you feel better:
spoiler
The book ends with everyone dying a pointless death because war sucks.
I think one of the best things about the culture series is the wide breadth of tone and perspective between the books. Excession and Inversions are probably my favorites... I almost wish I could have gone into the series blind with inversions, then consider phlebas before the others.
Didn't make it to paragraph 2, or just didn't understand it?
The difference between an asshole and someone who is simply disliked is typically one one of perspective.
Adjusting for inflation, that $1 is closer to $11. A preppy and half a ten pack of platinum black carts would be around $13.50 at US pen retailers, so not too bad overall.
That said, these are a small quantity novelty import. JDM you can get the preppy and a full ten pack for 900 JPY, or about $6.
I've heard of this happening with electricians. They'll touch something energized, check their pulse, then sit down and ask somebody close by "can you call 911 and start doing cpr on me?" Before passing out.
They'll usually be so surprised they'll look up from their phone and realize their dog is fighting!
Lol, same
Oh good, the ad worked.
It looks like federation replicators do not replicate ANYTHING alive...
Which means chicken sushi is on the menu!
Okay but... Municipalities dont pay for capex beyond the install. Install costs are under 3k each, so less than $300M total?
Vs solar at around $70B per year.
Even if they were footing the bill, do you really think these cameras cost $2M each?
ITT: "God I'm sick of getting stabbed in the spleen".
"You should try unlimited free blowjobs instead!"
"I don't know, the last seven buildings I went into with 'unlimited free blowjobs' signs also stabbed me in the spleen"
"OH, those weren't real unlimited free blowjobs. No real unlimited free blowjobs has ever existed. You need to watch more porn."
Cool, but not the argument presented.