https://paulnystrom.com/tags/darwin/Recent content in Darwin on Paul NystromHugoen-usSun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/ions/Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/ions/<p>IONS should be the sign over the door of the ER. IONS stands for “Interrupters Of Natural Selection,” which is what we do. The same patients—both medical and trauma—100 years ago would not have survived without us. Those who work in emergency settings recognize this as part of the dark humor that we share. Those who don’t likely see it as somewhat insensitive and disrespectful.</p> <p>However, the other truth is that through my many years of doing this, I see that all patients are simultaneously treated as if we (the providers) are fighting the Grim Reaper. Regardless of who comes in the door, we are doing battle against death on their behalf. We don’t accept that whatever they did—if it was worthy of a Darwin Award—will end them if we have anything to say about it. I have not seen patients treated with bias against their race, color, creed, sex, socioeconomic status, or any other thing that we get accused of.</p>