Page 22 - Humanism 2018

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Selina (Siyu) Li, MSPA ’19
In its earliest context, adaptation is the natural
modification of an organism to increase its chances
of survival. Similarly, adaptation in the context of
human experience describes the changes we
undergo as we observe and are demanded upon by
the world. To this inquiring mind, this process of
both purposeful and unwitting self-modification
presents with such regularity that it has become an
axiom of life. The world had once demanded my
younger self to adapt to the loss of a beloved light;
not soon after, it prompted response after
presenting a new wariness for concert halls and
academic walkways. In this ever-shifting world, I
felt the innate need to grow in courage and
strength. Yet adaptation doesn’t have to be
exclusively innate. The very idea of humanism
articulates agency. Upon this foundation, perhaps
we can rewrite the definition for adaptation: Rather
than adapting to survive, perhaps we should adapt
to increase our chances to thrive. In this issue of
Humanism magazine, we embark upon the theme
of adaptation to feature meaningful stories of
surviving and thriving.

Photos by Brittany Mammano, DPM ’19

20 HUMANISM IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES 2018 • VOL. 21