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Hi. I'm Harold Kyriazi, a neurobiological research scientist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School, where I study brain microcircuitry involved in the sense of touch. I've also been a libertarian activist for 10 years or so, editing and publishing a local libertarian newsletter for 5 years, from 1994 through 1998. |
What motivated me to do this website Unnecessary suffering bothers me. I find the human misery caused by natural disasters and disease to be sad, but not depressing. We try to improve our weather prediction capability, make our buildings stronger, find cures for disease, and hope for the best. We're doing what we can, and there's no point shaking our fists at the wind, rain, microbes, or our own faulty genes. Likewise, if someone unintentionally steps on my foot, and says "please excuse me," I don't get angry even if it hurts for a while. But if, on the other hand, they do it intentionally, and grin as they're doing it, I'd probably get into a fight, because it'd anger me tremendously. It didn't have to happen. Someone willed it to happen. This organ shortage situation isn't quite like that -- I think our elected representatives are merely ignorant and short-sighted, not malicious. I'm sad and frustrated that they don't know any better, and this is my way of trying to help set things straight. Freedom is the answer.
Another reason I decided to create this website is that I was frustrated with normal channels of trying to effect change -- writing letters to my U.S. Senators got a form letter from Arlen Specter and no response at all from supposed free-market advocate Rick Santorum. Letters to transplant surgeons here in Pittsburgh produced thoughtful responses and sympathy, but they seemed to feel as powerless to change the bureaucratic landscape as I. Letters to the editor of local newspapers may have gotten some people thinking, but even though many people may have agreed, there was no concerted action planned which could effect meaningful change.
Hopefully, this web site can be a locus of change, serving as a rallying point for like-minded freedom-lovers in the U.S. and around the world. If you're one of those people, and have a few moments to spare, please see what you can do to help.