Status Updates From The Beast That Shouted Love...

Is a sleeper story in every sci-fiction author? If we write stories about mind control of our Universe why not always solipsism?

I'm not certain why the short story associated with this collection of stories by the author is as alien as it is. And by alien I mean, less pedestrian. why is everyone's so called favorite work difficult (intentionally difficult) to understand it's meaning? And I'm not talking metaphoric or in another language or other cultural morphing... it's weird; it's alien.

A Boy and His Dog — Set in a post-apocalyptic world (the Third World War is said to start in 1992) and it's a story about a boy whose age we never get to know (Vic) and his telephatic, speaking dog (Blood), both hungry and horny. It's very... rapey. And of course, again, in this story, the girl only serves as a device for the boy, without character.

Shattered Like a Glass Goblin ― Is this figurative or no? I cannot really 'get' this story. Is the protagonist truly a glass goblin? At first it sounds like someone joins a sharehouse full of junkie recluses who keep him in the house by tasking one of them (a woman, of course) with sleeping with him as his 'rewards' until he wants out OUT and then suddenly I'm not sure anymore

Worlds to Kill — Last man standing-ish human mercenary who destroy worlds and planets or whatever for a price, supported by his AI-like system that decides he needs someone (a woman, of course) to live with and gift him children so he's... I don't know, live longer? More motivated to continue living? (I don't like this perspective of making women a 'device' for men)

S.R.O ― Spaceship appears on Broadway and aliens begin performing for the people watching below, some millionaire-wannabe starts making money off popcorn and balcony/box seats... at least until the aliens decide they perform long enough and now it's time to eat?

Are You Listening? — Story of a man whose existence is getting so insignificant (almost) nobody realizes or sees his presence. This could be better, could have more creepy vibe out of it, but unfortunately there is none. I feel this just falls rather flat.

Run for the Stars -- a villain origin story. I don't like it when an awful person becomes someone evil (in this case, a coward becomes a murderous, avenging human). Also the way he becomes the last man standing in a planet full of alien settlers is not really believable.

White on White - a quick story about a ladies' man trying to find true companion and gets it in the form of a mountain yeti

The Place with No Name -- this is about a sinner(?) accidentally finds a magical place that sends him to another place, and he ends up being a replacement to receive Prometheus' punishment. (Well, at least that's what I understand from the story)

The Pitll Pawob Division -- I blank out on this one. Seriously, what was that? What is this one about???

Try A Dull Knife -- A guy dying from having people feed on his energy (essence?) for being genuine and not 'robotic' or 'fake' (that at some parts read like how an introvert surrounded and mauled by extroverts)

Santa Claus VS S.P.I.D.E.R. -- The idea of making Santa Claus a Bond-like spy is very fun and interesting but there is A LOT of American politics and politician name-dropping involved that I just don't give a shit about

Asleep: With Still Hands -- this is quite chilling. About forced peace that comes from (or is enforced by) a thought police system, and that some men become so adamant about bringing back war like it's a fashion trend.

Phoenix -- a futuristic story... I think? Or an alternate reality? About a man searching for a lost city/civilization and it turns out what he's looking for is New York City, and he is someone from Atlantis.

Along the Scenic Route -- I LOVE this. I ADORE this story. It's like sci-fi Fast and Furious. Awesome idea, awesome execution. Very vivid and easy to imagine.

The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of The World -- wow I can't actually process this award-winning short story. I mean, I get the form it tries to use but I don't get why it matters. Also, "Djam Karet"?? Who lied this white man about jam karet and made it all philosophical???