If JG Ballard Were On Facebook
For Lana V Lynx's "If Great Dead Writers Were on Facebook" Challenge
Introduction
JG Ballard is my favourite author; he can make the ordinary terrifying and make us question reality. A work colleague once described his novels as more like poetry than prose.
Many of his books have been turned into films, and I found this great article on him which I borrowed the picture from.
This piece is for Lana V Lynx's "If Great Dead Writers Were on Facebook" Challenge, which you can check out here:
The music is "High Rise" by Hawkwind, which is the name of one of Ballard's novels that was turned into a film.
Today's Facebook Post
I took a walk today. The houses in these streets get into worse states of disrepair every day. Even though our government introduced martial law, no one has any respect any more.
Gangs roam the streets robbing shops and houses with impunity, because they share their spoils with the army, and excuse their acts as divinely instructed.
Some of the gangs are still children, but they are cunning and vicious.
They steal cars and crash them for fun, and leave them burning.
In the distance, I see another high-rise burning: the people who live in them have regressed to almost Neanderthalism.
There is only one paper on sale, and that is state-controlled, although the state seems to have no control over what is happening.
I got a few groceries and got home without being attacked, barred the doors and shuttered the windows, and then sat down to read and wonder what tomorrow might bring.
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Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred
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Comments (10)
I’ve never heard of Ballard, either, but if this is what he would post about our world today, then I’m certainly intrigued as to what his works are like. Nicely done!
I, too, had never heard of Ballard. I can't wait to read his work as it sounds fascinating.
What a great post and what if life and society was really like this.
This was fascinating, Mike, thank you for playing! Like many others, I never heard of Ballard before and will have to catch up on his work.
Never heard of Ballard, this prompt is bringing out the unknown who should be known. Good movies too. Wow.
I shall check his works out, they seem to be what I like to watch!
Loved this ! Now I must watch High Rise !🌹🌹🌹
First time I've heard of Ballard. Didn't know he was the author behind the movie Crash. Looking hm up, he seems to have some other interesting works: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_I_Want_to_Fuck_Ronald_Reagan
That's so chaotic! Loved your take on this!
Ballard's work is strange and powerful and this is a splendid tribute, Mikeydred!