Far side

'And so you see I have already died and I can remember and replay the experience in perfect detail, any time I wish.'
The avatar smiled silkily as it leant closer to him, as though imparting a confidence.
'Never forget I am not this silver body, Mahrai. I am not an animal brain, I am not even some attempt to produce an AI through software running on a computer. I am a Culture Mind. We are close to gods, and on the far side.

Iain M. Banks, in Look To Windward, 2000