Status Updates From The Best Short Stories of J...

(4/5 stars) Manhole 69
I had originally intended to give this 3 stars, but I now realize how truly conceptually terrifying Manhole 69 is. Ballard essentially develops a new form of “full-body horror” (including both the psyche and the corporeal), depicting a situation akin to capitalist transhumanism—a bodily exploitation pushed to the point of collapse.

(2/5) The Concentration City failed to captivate me as Ballard intended. I don't know if it's because I read improperly, but I feel as if Ballard's (unintentional) allegory to the stifling of "unproductive innovation" under capitalism is far too evident. While airing very valid concerns through relatively interesting means, Ballard makes it far too obvious.