Why Is Everything an Existential Crisis?
So-called existential risks seem to be everywhere. Climate change, artificial intelligence, nuclear war, pandemics and more threaten to return us to nothingness. Most people using this term aren't consciously evoking the philosophy of Sartre or Camus. Still, they may be drawing on associations with existentialism more than they realize and unconsciously expressing deeper concerns about morality and meaning.
In psychoanalysis, it isn't unusual for a word to have an unconscious double meaning. For example, a patient in therapy might say that she can't 'bear' children. She could consciously mean that she's unable to get pregnant, while also unconsciously communicating that she can't stand children. Or a grieving patient who's struggling to find the right word might say, 'I'm at a loss.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Global Drug Development Shifts East
Global clinical research The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing its own 'DeepSeek moment,' according to science writer Hiya Jain. Just as the upstart AI breakthrough caught Silicon Valley off-guard, China is emerging as a formidable force in drug development, fundamentally altering the global landscape of medical innovation. The numbers tell a remarkable story of transformation. In 2017, there were just over 600 clinical trials initiated in China. By 2023, that number was nearly 2,000. This tripling of clinical trial activity represents more than statistical growth—it signals a seismic shift in how and where the world's most critical medical breakthroughs are being developed. New Pharmaceutical Reality Today's pharmaceutical giants are increasingly looking East for their next breakthrough molecules. Large pharmaceutical companies in-license about a third of their experimental molecules from Chinese laboratories, a dramatic increase from just 10 percent a few years ago according to Stifel. This shift represents a fundamental reordering of the global pharmaceutical ecosystem, where 'Chinese companies will often run the phase I trial in China for cheap, then flip it to a Western pharmaceutical company to run the expensive US trials and bring the drug to market,' blogs biotech writer Alex Telford. The implications extend far beyond cost savings. About one-fourth of all clinical trials and early drug development now happens in China. This concentration of activity in a single nation represents a strategic vulnerability for Western pharmaceutical companies while simultaneously demonstrating China's growing dominance in the sector. According to World Health Organization data, since 2016, the Western Pacific region has been the region with the highest number of trial registration per year among WHO regions, driven primarily by China's explosive growth in clinical trial activity. The WHO reports that in 2023 the number of trials registered in Western Pacific (23,250) was around 14 times higher than that in Africa (845), highlighting the concentration of pharmaceutical development resources in developed and rapidly developing economies. The Policy Revolution Behind the Numbers China's pharmaceutical ascension didn't happen by accident—it was engineered through deliberate policy reforms that removed regulatory bottlenecks and streamlined approval processes. The transformation began in earnest around 2017 when Chinese regulators implemented several game-changing measures, writes Jain. The most significant was the introduction of an 'implied license' policy, which automatically authorizes a clinical trial if regulators voice no objections within 60 days. This eliminated the bureaucratic delays that had previously hampered drug development in the country. Simultaneously, China joined the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) and began accepting overseas clinical trial data, reducing the need for companies to duplicate studies within Chinese borders. These reforms created a regulatory environment that prioritized speed without compromising safety. Drugs that qualify for priority review often address a critical, unmet clinical need, allowing them to go through an accelerated evaluation timeline. The result was a dramatic improvement in China's attractiveness as a location for pharmaceutical development. The policy changes also attracted international investment, creating a virtuous cycle of capital, expertise, and innovation. This influx of resources further accelerated China's biotech boom, establishing the country as a legitimate competitor to traditional pharmaceutical powerhouses in the United States and Europe. Quality Meets Quantity Critics might argue that China's rapid expansion in clinical trials represents quantity over quality, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The number of original, new drugs originating in China has climbed from almost zero in 2010 to a figure, in 2023, that approaches American totals. This isn't merely about conducting more trials—it's about developing genuinely innovative treatments. The quality of Chinese clinical trials is further evidenced by their enrollment rates. While over three-quarters of recent trials now enroll fewer than 100 participants in the United States, often due to recruitment difficulties, more than 40 percent of clinical trials in China have high enrollment levels. This superior enrollment capability translates to more robust data and faster progression through development phases. China's success in clinical trial recruitment stems from several advantages. The country has 'a wealth of treatment-naïve patients in therapeutic areas where U.S. trials struggle to recruit, including immune-oncology, NASH, chronic diseases, and many orphan indications' concentrated in top urban medical centers with costs that are 30 percent lower than in the United States, leading to patient recruitment that is 2-3 times faster. Medicine world map American Plateau While China has been ascending, the United States appears to have reached a plateau. In the early 2010s, the number of clinical trials performed by American companies increased steadily but then leveled out at about 1,900 studies each year. This stagnation comes at a time when medical needs are growing and pharmaceutical innovation is more critical than ever. The plateau reflects systemic challenges within the American pharmaceutical development system. Regulatory complexity, recruitment difficulties, and institutional red tape have created barriers that slow the translation of scientific discoveries into life-saving treatments. Examples include trial for lung cancer was forced to curtail its enrollment by half due to 'slow accrual' illustrate the real-world consequences of these systemic inefficiencies. The contrast with China's trajectory is stark. While American pharmaceutical development exhibits signs of institutional sclerosis, China's system demonstrates the power of aligned incentives, streamlined processes, and strategic coordination between regulatory bodies, research institutions, and industry players. Global Implications and Competitive Response China's rise in pharmaceutical development isn't occurring in isolation. South-East Asia is quickly growing in number of reported clinical trials and was the only region not to see a decrease since the peak of trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven largely by trials in India, where 90 percent of the region's trials are conducted. Other Asian nations are following China's example, implementing similar regulatory reforms to attract pharmaceutical development activity. Japan, South Korea, and India are all working to position themselves as attractive destinations for clinical trials and drug development, creating a competitive dynamic that benefits global pharmaceutical innovation. The WHO data reveals that between 2020 and 2023 the number of trials registered in lower middle income countries continued to rise by 36% compared to a 4% and 12% decrease in upper middle income and high income countries respectively. This trend suggests that pharmaceutical development is becoming increasingly democratized, with emerging economies playing larger roles in bringing new treatments to market. World Health Organization (WHO) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) The Path Forward for America The United States isn't destined to cede pharmaceutical leadership to China, but action is required. Proposals from The Clinical Trial Abundance Initiative demonstrate that reform is possible, focusing on democratizing clinical research through expanded Medicaid coverage for trial participants, simplified paperwork, and fair compensation for participants. However, these reforms face significant political and institutional obstacles. Funding constraints and polarized attitudes toward agencies like the NIH and FDA complicate efforts to implement necessary changes. The challenge is compounded by America's fragmented healthcare system, which creates additional barriers to efficient clinical trial conduct. The contrast with China's approach is instructive. While American reforms must navigate complex federal systems and competing interests, China's centralized coordination, streamlined approval pathways, and top-down incentives for hospital participation have proven remarkably effective. Though different in method, both models show how aligning regulatory structures with participation incentives can unlock trial capacity and volume at scale. New Era of Pharmaceutical Geopolitics China's emergence as a pharmaceutical superpower represents more than a shift in market dynamics—it signals a new era of pharmaceutical geopolitics. The country that controls the development of life-saving treatments wields significant influence over global health outcomes and economic competitiveness. For pharmaceutical companies, the rise of China presents both opportunities and challenges. Access to Chinese markets, research capabilities, and patient populations offers tremendous potential for innovation and growth. However, dependence on Chinese infrastructure and expertise also creates strategic vulnerabilities, particularly in an era of increasing geopolitical tensions. The future of pharmaceutical development will likely be shaped by how Western nations respond to China's challenge. Countries that adapt their frameworks to expedite start-up times, recognize credible foreign data, and balance oversight with innovation-friendly policies will be best positioned to capture the next wave of drug discoveries. The pharmaceutical industry's shifts are a wake-up call for American policymakers and business leaders. Asia's rapid ascension in drug development demonstrates that regulatory reform, strategic coordination, and sustained investment can dramatically accelerate medical innovation. The question now is whether the United States will learn from China's example and implement the reforms necessary to maintain its position as a global leader in pharmaceutical development.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Forbes
The Amazing Ways AI Agents Will Transform Healthcare
AI agents represent the next transformational wave in healthcare, moving beyond simple diagnosis ... More tools to autonomous systems that can schedule appointments, create detailed medical reports, and monitor patients remotely without human intervention. Healthcare is already a hotbed of AI activity, which has more than proved its worth as a tool for diagnosing illness, monitoring recovery, and developing new medicines. But globally, the industry is still grappling with longstanding challenges, including shortages of clinical staff, aging populations, and managing the front-loaded costs of transitioning to more preventative models of healthcare. This is where AI agents, the next wave of AI transformation, will come in. Compared to existing AI (think of the current generation of language-based chatbots like ChatGPT), Agentic AI is capable of carrying out far more complex tasks with minimal human interaction. To give a simple example, a non-agentic computer vision-based AI algorithm can be used to scan medical images and spot early warning signs of cancer. An agentic AI, on the other hand, could cross-reference the images with other clinical patient data, create a detailed report for a doctor, and schedule a follow-up appointment, all without human involvement. This switch from passive provider of information to active action-taking is what defines the newest generation of tools and applications driven by agentic AI. Experts predict it will soon be just as transformational to healthcare as today's cutting-edge computer vision, chatbots and other AI innovations have proven to be. So here's an overview of how it may soon be put to work in hospitals, doctors' surgeries, and care homes near you. Agentic Healthcare Intelligence Several use cases for agentic applications have been identified in healthcare. Although most are currently theoretical, they give us an idea of how agents could surpass the capability of non-agentic tools and apps. Automated triage and scheduling systems could relieve clinical and administrative staff of much of the burden of routine procedures and paperwork. Rather than simply asking patients to answer questions, it can use computer vision to carry out initial examinations and flag urgent cases for immediate help. AI agents have also been built to assist with clinical decision-making. By augmenting large language models like GPT-4 with tools to understand MRI, CT and other medical data, one test found an agent could reach a correct diagnosis in 91% of cases. They will also become increasingly useful in remote patient monitoring. Their ability to make more accurate decisions about when to intervene and how to protect patient privacy and security will mean more people can stay out of hospital and be treated at home. Agents are even being put to use in clinical trials, carrying out tasks such as screening applications, matching candidates to trials and booking transportation to the test facility. For non-clinical use, the AI health monitors we use on smartwatches and fitness bands will become much smarter and more proactive. Rather than simply measuring heart rate, skin temperature and so on, they'll be ready to give us a holistic overview of our health at any time and then monitor the action we take towards improving it. Finally, agents will help complete administrative tasks more efficiently by automating decisions around scheduling, reading and replying to emails, and handling billing and commissioning. While this can be done by existing AI on a task-by-task basis, agents will take oversight of entire workflows or even business functions, reducing human error and time spent on routine work. A great deal of academic research is currently taking place into how we can safely use and understand the impact of agentic AI in healthcare. Answering these questions will play a bit part in helping these use cases get off the ground. What About The Risks? With greater autonomy and the ability to interact with external systems, AI agents clearly introduce new risks that could be particularly dangerous in healthcare ecosystems. Data security is an obvious one, and new security measures will be required to balance the need for agents to access personal data with the dangers this creates. Confidential patient information, as well as control over critical systems, could be at stake if agents are compromised by malicious individuals or groups or just don't work like they're supposed to. Agents will also force healthcare service providers to answer questions and provide assurances about accountability. AI can't take responsibility for its actions, so how is it shared between the healthcare industry, AI developers, and the clinical staff and patients who use it? Then there's the simple fact that AI is often wrong. Whether it's down to bad data or hallucination, it simply isn't right 100 percent of the time. Of course, neither are humans. So when is it right to hand over the reins? And, of course, we're far from the point where anyone thinks it's right to let machines make decisions that affect humans without human oversight. So, how do we make sure that oversight is in place, effective and accountable? Overcoming all of these challenges will be critical to safely integrating agentic AI into the healthcare system and unlocking the benefits it promises. The Future Of Agents In Healthcare By the end of the decade, we can expect agentic AI to have radically changed the way healthcare is delivered, managed and experienced. Globally, healthcare has for some time understood the importance of moving from reactive to preventative care. Agents will proactively interact with wearables and home sensors to enable far earlier interventions when warning signs are detected. This will happen within an agentic ecosystem, which delivers fully personalized care by fine-tuning treatment in response to patient data. Meanwhile, the workload of clinical professionals will involve far less time spent filling in forms or reviewing notes and more time using their uniquely human skills and experience to improve patient outcomes. Access to healthcare in underserved areas could increase, with agents acting as gateways to telemedicine services, triaging initial contacts as well as freeing up human doctors to see more patients. Of course, all of this depends on solving the challenges mentioned here. Once society understands the impact agents can have, there will be a demand for evidence that it can be trusted. By establishing where the boundaries lie as we build, test and use it today, we can lay the groundwork for a safe, agentic tomorrow.
Washington Post
9 hours ago
- Washington Post
Climate change takes an emotional toll. Here's how to manage anxiety and build resilience
NEW YORK — Anxiety, grief, anger, fear, helplessness. The emotional toll of climate change is broad-ranging, especially for young people. Many worry about what the future holds, and a daily grind of climate anxiety and distress can lead to sleeplessness, an inability to focus and worse. Some young people wonder whether it's moral to bring children into the world. Many people grieve for the natural world. Activists, climate psychologists and others in the fight against climate change have a range of ways to build resilience and help manage emotions. Some ideas: Feeling isolated? Find ways to connect with like-minded people and help nature, said climate psychologist Laura Robinson in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There are many ways to get involved. Work locally to convince more residents to give up grass lawns and increase biodiversity with native plants , for instance. Help establish new green spaces, join projects to protect water, develop wildlife corridors, or decrease pesticide use to save frogs, insects and birds. Work to get the word out on turning down nighttime lighting to help birds and lightning bugs. 'I see people struggling with these emotions across the age range,' said Robinson. 'I have parents who are themselves really struggling with their own feelings and really worried about their children in the future.' Climate news and the onslaught of disaster and mayhem in general has become heavy and overwhelming for many with the rise of social media and mobile phone use. Try scheduling breaks from notifications on your phone or stepping back from the news cycle in other ways. Consider the idea of a 'positivity sandwich,' where you begin with a good piece of news, followed by a harder tidbit, then finish with a second feel-good story. Phoebe Yu, 39, gave up a cushy job in health technology to work on an MBA with a focus on sustainability. She started a business selling sponges made from the luffa gourd. And she does it all while raising her 6-year-old son with her husband in Fremont, California. 'I am generally a very happy person and I'm very optimistic. And I'm still that, but sometimes it becomes very difficult to manage. Like, what will happen and thinking about the long term,' she said. 'At points, I've regretted bringing a child into this world , knowing how things could get much, much worse.' Part of managing her own emotions is trying to model sustainable behaviors for her son while educating him on the importance of helping the environment. The family drives an electric vehicle. They don't eat meat and have encouraged extended family to do the same. They recycle, compost and limit travel by air. 'I try to explain things to my son so he can at least have some understanding of how the world and the ecosystem works as a whole,' Yu said. 'I do think kids are able to absorb that and turn that into some level of action.' Britnee Reid teaches middle school science for Gaston Virtual Academy, a K-12 virtual public school based in Gastonia, North Carolina. Reid participated in a pilot project for a free teacher toolkit on climate put together by the National Environmental Education Foundation and the Climate Mental Health Network, a collective of community advocates working on the emotional impacts of climate change. The kit is full of ways to help teachers support students' mental health and manage their own climate-related emotions. One of the exercises involves students documenting their interactions with the natural world in an environmental timeline. Laying it all out often stirs action, Reid said. 'They can be anxious, they can be angry, they can feel fearful, but they're like these go-getters of, 'I'm going to make the change in this world.' There's kind of two truths at once where they feel scared but they also feel like, you know, I can do something about this,' she said. 'The timelines,' Reid said, 'provided some good, rich conversations.' Psychotherapist Patricia Hasbach, just outside of Eugene, Oregon, has written several books on eco-psychology and eco-therapy and has taught graduate students on those topics. 'We incorporate nature into the healing process,' she said. 'And we address a person's relationship with the natural world. Certainly with climate change, eco-therapy has a huge role to play.' One of her most important missions is helping people find their words to talk about climate change in pursuit of resilience. 'There have been some studies done that show an increased number of young people reporting concern, like 84% of young people in the U.S. reporting concern about climate change, but only like 59% of them think that other people are as concerned as they are,' Hasbach said. That, she said, contributes to inaction and feelings of anxiety, depression or isolation. Climate scientist Kate Marvel, a physicist and author of the new book 'Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About our Changing Planet,' urges people to think differently about their place in preserving the environment. 'A lot of times, the anxiety and the hopelessness comes from a feeling of powerlessness. And I don't think any of us is powerless,' she said. 'I think collectively, we're incredibly powerful,' Marvel said. 'The atmosphere cares about what all of us together are doing, and I think you can have much more impact if you think of yourself as part of the collective.'
