Monolith

=Real Life=

Monoliths are basicly huge, vertical slabs of black rock or marble. Several people have spent a lot of effort making small ones, or designing a building to look like one. There are some, however, that are natural, although these are not perfectly smooth like they are in legends.

Myths & Legends
Although there are very few legends around monoliths (most come from games) they are supposably deposited by aliens, and it is said that if you look deep into the smooth marble, you become wiser.

=Monoliths in Spore=

Purpose
As in many other games, spore uses monoliths as a way to rapidly increase the intelligence of a non-sentient race. All you have to do is place a monolith on an inhabited planet and whichever species finds it first will become sentient within minutes. Also, they will most likely begin worshiping you for bringing enlightenment to their people.

Speculation
Although it is unclear as to whether it will have any effect on races that are already sentient, many people believe that it will either make them much more powerful (so they can take over the world) or even allow them to build a UFO, as well as making them like you. However, they may abuse this power and attack you.

How To Get One
Obviously, you must first build a UFO and progress to the Space Phase. Then, you have to either find the monolith ability on a deserted planet or trade with another advanced race for it. After that it seems that you can place as many as you want, although there is most likely a cool-down timer on it.