I am Besieged by Fear — But I am not Paul Atreides

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me.“

Me, outside San Diego Library, next to Ikea, about 10 years ago. Own photo

Those of us who are geeks or, perhaps, sci fi addicts, will recognise those words immediately. They are from Frank Herbert’s immortal book, Dune. The full fear litany is: