A couple of highlights from around the web that made it into our feeds this week.
My Brain Finally Broke
Jia Tolentino's latest essay is a poignant exploration of how digital overstimulation has frayed our collective grasp on reality. She describes the "opacity" that fogs her mind; perhaps one of the few remaining shared (yet separate) experiences we have as AI moves closer to center. While the piece is packed with reflections on time and impact, her essay feels especially relevant in the context of medical storytelling. As we strive to humanize complex treatment journeys, her observations challenge us to consider how digital mediation impacts the way we perceive suffering, recovery, and resilience. How do we maintain authenticity in a world increasingly mediated by screens? It's a question worth pondering for us all. (from newyorker.com)
Medicine of the Soul
In this powerful essay, Columbia surgical resident Alexandra Sansosti, MD, reflects on her time in Lampedusa, an island at the crossroads of Europe’s migration crisis. Inspired by Pope Francis's call to be "a doctor for the soul," she recounts the daily realities of treating migrants who survive harrowing journeys across the Mediterranean. Dr. Sansosti captures how medicine practiced with dignity and foresight transcends borders, reminding us that true healing is not just physical—it’s an act of solidarity and justice. Her experiences challenge us to consider the role of compassionate care in addressing not only medical needs but also the deeper wounds of displacement and survival.
Measles Surge in Southwest Is Now the Largest Single Outbreak Since 2000
By now, you’ve probably heard about the current measles outbreak sweeping through Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. It is the largest single outbreak in the United States since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. With over 830 cases reported and three confirmed deaths, the crisis is centered in largely unvaccinated communities, including Mennonite populations, and is exacerbated by public health funding cuts and muddled federal messaging. As health officials scramble to contain the outbreak, the situation underscores the critical importance of vaccination and robust public health infrastructure. (from nytimes.com)
Related:
- “Dr. AI” Video Series: Can ChatGPT Step Up to The Medical Challenge?
- The Culture Consult: Dr. Craig Smith on What He’s Been Reading Lately
- Global Surgery and Gender Equity Take the Spotlight at the First Pan-African Surgical Congress