Dispatches · Issue 14 · Newsletter ·
The Existential Dispatch, Issue No. 14
This week’s dispatch is about two kinds of vulnerability: the kind we feel when we’re alone inside a crowded life, and the kind that appears when care is delivered under threat. Thinker of the issue: Paul Tillich.
A Word from the Founding Director
This week’s dispatch is about two kinds of vulnerability: the kind we feel when we’re alone inside a crowded life, and the kind that appears when care is delivered under threat. In both, the existential question isn’t “How do we fix this?” but “How do we stay human while we face it?”
Existential Thinker of the Issue
Paul Tillich
“The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself, in spite of being unacceptable.”
Why it matters clinically: Patients living with serious illness (and clinicians living with moral distress) often carry shame: “I’m failing,” “I’m too much,” “I don’t deserve care.” Tillich’s line is a succinct invitation to practice a form of courage that is not bravado, but honest self-acceptance—often the first step toward reconnecting with others.
In Academia
Loneliness, cognition, and mortality: A Harvard Health summary (July 15, 2026) notes that loneliness (distinct from simply being alone) was consistently associated with worsening cognitive health and shorter life, even after accounting for social isolation. health.harvard.edu
In Film, Literature and Culture
TIFF trailer — REMAKE (July 8, 2026): A documentary meditation on time, memory, and legacy as Ross McElwee considers remaking his most famous work while confronting his son’s addiction. youtube.com
In Healthcare (Global)
Attacks on care in Ukraine: WHO’s Ukraine emergency page notes “3000 attacks on health care in Ukraine verified by WHO since full-scale invasion.” It’s a stark reminder that healthcare is not only a service—it is a moral practice that depends on safety, trust, and protected space. who.int
Funding and Grant Opportunities
NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (FY2027) — application due Aug 17, 2026 (earliest submission July 17, 2026). commonfund.nih.gov
Conferences and Events
ESMO Congress 2026 — late-breaking abstract deadline: 8 September 2026, 21:00 CEST. esmo.org
Startup and Innovation Watch
Workplace grief support: Benefits and Pensions Monitor reports Pathpal offers workplace grief and life-transition support and has closed a growth equity investment (size undisclosed) to expand across North America. benefitsandpensionsmonitor.com
To Close: An Existential Joke
I asked my existential dread for a five-year plan. It said, “Let’s start with lunch.”