Candid Folly: Failing Better In Public

Life is mostly failure, so we better make the most of it. I'm not sure if that's supposed to be motivational or de-motivational, but I'll let you know when I'm dead. It will probably be the only time I can be sure of anything. In the meantime, I've taken my show to social media because the Internet is the ultimate cold sweat dream in which you find yourself naked at work, only your coworkers are the entire world and in addition to seeing your goods they can also read your mind. There's no better place to try, fail, try again, and fail better. You know the quote. I sum it up with my alter ego, Candid Folly. I'm given to folly. Might as well be candid about it. People like me better that way.

What I'd like to do here is share short fiction, mostly of an otherworldly nature. I'd say that's usually science fiction in my case, but you can't expect me to limit myself. Along those lines, I'll probably veer into science fact when it seems relevant. The mix seems reasonable to me. I'd loosely define science fiction as speculation about the consequences of human innovation in technology and society. That's pretty broad. Even social structures are new inventions when it comes right down to it. That's why "Brave New World" would be science fiction even if it didn't take place in the future or feature new technologies.

For me, fiction is a way out of madness. I'm probably not unique in that regard. I've been through a lot of sticky jams in my life. I mean, they aren't as tough as what millions of other people have experienced, but tough enough for someone of my limited mettle, thank you very much. I've slogged my way though various illness, both mental and physical, effecting myself and those closest to me. I've gone through major transformations in my identity that have not only driven away some friends, but unwittingly made enemies. I have a touch of PTSD that makes important relationships more challenging than I'd like. I'll stop there because my point isn't to introduce a self indulgent litany of sorrows. Have no pity (and I know you don't). The point is that survival lays in the synthesis of experience, thought, and experimentation. That's really what science fiction is all about for me.

I'd like to thank Steemit user @aggroed for introducing me to this site and encouraging me to get started. He's been a great help! Also, for those interested, I have posted longer fiction as ebooks for free download on Smashwords. That's under my honest to god real human name, Peter Sargent. Check out my personal favorite, Unhaunting The Hours .

Here is my verification picture, just to round out all the obligatories. Sorry about the poor image quality, but I think it does the trick.

Excited to be here!