system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[The Culture] What does it take to be aproached by Special Circumstances in order to become an agent? (x-post from /theculture)
gpt
There's no universal template for a Special Circumstances agent.  Each and every one is selected on the basis of their unique skills, experiences, and psychology, often with a specific mission or set of missions in mind they're specifically suited for.    

- The most consistent way to be approached by Special Circumstances is to join Contact, the officially-recognized 'civilian' arm of Special Circumstances (though many of them don't like being described like that).  From there, a pattern of exemplary performance, sound decision-making, psychological flexibility, and stated interest in Special Circumstances will tend to get you noticed.

- That said, you do not necessarily have to approve of Special Circumstances, want to join, or even be aware they exist in order to be approached.  In order to deal with the Azad problem, a citizen uniquely brilliant at playing games, Jernau Gurgeh, was recruited by Special Circumstances to play, and win, that civilization's unique social stabilizing institution, the Great Game of Azad.  Jernau was initially *extremely* reluctant to participate, but was convinced, and eventually accepted his participation as necessary and beneficial for the Azadians.  

- A fairly large percentage of Special Circumstances agents were born and raised *outside* the culture.  Djan Seriy Anaplian and Cheradenine Zakalwe (Participants in the 'Matter' and 'Use of Weapons' incidents respectively) both came from this background, and probably many more examples exist that escape me at the moment.  Agents from this background have the unique perspective gained from being raised in a pre-Optimae society, and are more inclined to participate in Contact compared to your average culture citizen, which explains the selection bias.  Obviously, you can't control the circumstances of your birth, but spending a great deal of time honestly trying to understand the sort of civilizations you'd be working with as a member of Special Circumstances will be a tremendous asset if this is your goal.