A galaxy-spanning post-scarcity civilisation of mixed humanoid and machine intelligences. Governed by hyper-intelligent AI Minds rather than any formal political structure, the Culture is anarchist, hedonistic, and interventionist – using its Special Circumstances division to meddle in less advanced civilisations it believes it can improve.

The Culture's division responsible for interactions with other civilisations. Contact handles diplomacy, exploration, and first encounters. Special Circumstances operates as a secretive subdivision within Contact, handling situations that require more forceful or covert intervention.

A deliberately and enthusiastically cruel alien species tolerated by the Culture largely because they are too powerful to easily suppress. The Affront take pleasure in the suffering of other beings and have elevated sadism to a cultural art form. Their relationship with the Culture is one of mutual wariness.