The Record and the Wound — Part II (Reader)¶

Author: Kevin Bass, Ph.D. — Full bio & credentials

This page gives a concise, linkable companion to the Substack article.
Read the full essay on Substack → The Record and the Wound — Part II: Why I Won't Disappear.

Where this lives on the timeline - Part I Publication: October 10, 2025 (The Record) - Part II Publication: November 24, 2025 (The Motivation)

Key Themes¶

The Choice¶

The essay frames the response to institutional betrayal as a choice between two paths: 1. Disappear: Accept the destruction, sign NDAs, and try to build a second life while the institution remains unaccountable. 2. Refuse to Disappear: "Follow the logic of what had been done all the way out into the open."

Medicine as Vocation vs. Career¶

A central distinction is made between a career (a professional path vulnerable to institutional destruction) and a vocation (a calling that cannot be taken away).

"I believe in medicine—and science—as a calling. For me, this is not a 'career.' It never was."

Moral Injury as Formation¶

Instead of treating the experience solely as trauma to be "healed" or moved past, the narrative argues for using moral injury as material for character formation.

"Refusing to anesthetize ourselves to injustice does not have to corrode us... It can make us stronger."

Institutional Dynamics Discussed¶

• Reputation Destruction: The process of "whispers" and informal blacklisting that prevents victims from moving on even after settlements.
• Institutional Aversion: The psychological tendency of institutions to hate those they have injured (referencing Tacitus).
• The Structural Trap: Why institutions rationalize behavior rather than correcting it to avoid liability.

Next Steps in the Series¶

The essay serves as a bridge to Part IV, which will cover the "threat" allegation and academic mobbing.