Ian M Banks' orbitals make no sense. The only location where tidal forces wouldn't make them impractical would be in the far field of a supergiant, and that would be a hopeless radiation environment. Niven Rings around yellow dwarfs work though.
And Dyson Spheres are just stupid.
@Ersin0X If I'd been the guy I'd have excused myself to the bathroom, quietly gone home, and left them with the bill. Nobody takes advantage like that, and if they try it they aren't the sort of person I want to know anyway.
@thetimes Good, white Brits are sick of being afraid of knife-wielding immigrants. Now if the Sikh community itself will come together and abandon the whole religious weapon business, as they have already done in many countries, then we might well believe they mean it and wish to coexist