Adelbert Ambros Lajlos stood in silent contemplation at the podium. After a moment he warmed to the receptive audience—a defense industry crowd. His talk was entitled Game Theory and War: The Downfall of the Red Empire. He spoke quietly, confidentially, to these his...

“Sixth grade,” I said. “Twelve years old.” Outside it was cold. A gray, relentlessly dismal rain fell. I watched out the window, enjoyed the misery of the day. It matched my on-going depression. “Mr. Moore’s social studies class. In the old annex. Droning voice....

For most of my life, ego trapped me within the narrow stories written for me by other people. When I stepped outside those stories, it was terrifying.