i think one of the difficulties with moral injury is that it's hard to find an edge where it starts. the more i consider it, the more i think it's part and parcel of colonialism. that in order to expand an empire, you must become blind and deaf to grief, to needing consent, to thinking about the reasons why not to go ahead with your latest brilliant idea, to slow consideration.
we have the means these days to barge ahead with very little forethought, and then we have labels now to diagnose someone ("depression") who is trying to speak what we don't want to hear. maybe moral injury is the legacy of the way we live.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment @Hilary Stripp Sadly, it seems we are all wearing the consequences of colonialism. I have recently reached the view that we cannot change those who hold tight to these entrenched views and must forge a new way, a disruption if you like. This even applies to Moral Injury. There is talk it will enter the DSM later this year - the psychiatrist’s bible. I’m still on the fence about this - I understand the importance of research dollars and treatment options but I also feel strongly we must acknowledge what it is to be human. I love the term ‘diplomatic defiance’ for that reason. Coined by a doctor and their quiet attitude of ‘I am here to care, not for paperwork.’ Just because that’s the way we do it, does not mean it serves humanity and most of us know it. I’ve also recently connected with others on Substack who see the systems collapse we see all around us and understand we somehow have to unravel it before it unravels us, thanks to Ai which admittedly brings many benefits. That said, I am noticing things are speeding up at a frenetic rate. I wonder if others have noticed too? For me, it is about thoughtful awareness and building a movement of caring disruptors determined to ensure we remember, humans needs humans and not processes first.
thanks Kathie, and I agree we each find a way forward that suits our capacity and capability. I must note though, that I’m kind of horrified by AI and the enormous water and energy usage that it entails. seeing that M Z’berg wants to build a system the size of Manhattan to facilitate Meta’s AI functions stops me in my tracks. blessings to you and your thoughtful work.
The urgency now is for professionals in the system to rise up in a way that has not occurred in the past. Use your voice in whatever way is comfortable for you - as Dr Dean coined Diplomatic Defiance can be powerful. I witnessed it myself last week with all the doctors at GPCE. They are not impressed in having to argue with insurers to get a patient the basic medical treatment that is required.
i think one of the difficulties with moral injury is that it's hard to find an edge where it starts. the more i consider it, the more i think it's part and parcel of colonialism. that in order to expand an empire, you must become blind and deaf to grief, to needing consent, to thinking about the reasons why not to go ahead with your latest brilliant idea, to slow consideration.
we have the means these days to barge ahead with very little forethought, and then we have labels now to diagnose someone ("depression") who is trying to speak what we don't want to hear. maybe moral injury is the legacy of the way we live.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment @Hilary Stripp Sadly, it seems we are all wearing the consequences of colonialism. I have recently reached the view that we cannot change those who hold tight to these entrenched views and must forge a new way, a disruption if you like. This even applies to Moral Injury. There is talk it will enter the DSM later this year - the psychiatrist’s bible. I’m still on the fence about this - I understand the importance of research dollars and treatment options but I also feel strongly we must acknowledge what it is to be human. I love the term ‘diplomatic defiance’ for that reason. Coined by a doctor and their quiet attitude of ‘I am here to care, not for paperwork.’ Just because that’s the way we do it, does not mean it serves humanity and most of us know it. I’ve also recently connected with others on Substack who see the systems collapse we see all around us and understand we somehow have to unravel it before it unravels us, thanks to Ai which admittedly brings many benefits. That said, I am noticing things are speeding up at a frenetic rate. I wonder if others have noticed too? For me, it is about thoughtful awareness and building a movement of caring disruptors determined to ensure we remember, humans needs humans and not processes first.
thanks Kathie, and I agree we each find a way forward that suits our capacity and capability. I must note though, that I’m kind of horrified by AI and the enormous water and energy usage that it entails. seeing that M Z’berg wants to build a system the size of Manhattan to facilitate Meta’s AI functions stops me in my tracks. blessings to you and your thoughtful work.
You are correct it is not possible to save everyone, however it is possible to call out the reason[s] why far too many people are in need of saving.
One voice raised becomes two voices becomes four voices becomes eight voices becomes sixteen voices.
It all starts with one voice.
The urgency now is for professionals in the system to rise up in a way that has not occurred in the past. Use your voice in whatever way is comfortable for you - as Dr Dean coined Diplomatic Defiance can be powerful. I witnessed it myself last week with all the doctors at GPCE. They are not impressed in having to argue with insurers to get a patient the basic medical treatment that is required.
🎯