Skaffen-Amtiskaw was silent for a moment, and then its aura strobed pink. "You might as well ask if having children is useful," it said. "How can I put this in very small words ... Drones. Are. People. People. Are Not. Always. Made. Of. Meat. At least that's how the Culture sees it, and has done for several millennia."

((I ♥ IMB. And he's got a new Culture novel coming out next year! I am so happy!))