International Business Times Interview

In my recent interview with International Business Times, I shared my vision for a new kind of civic engagement. I began writing about this topic in a series of Medium posts in the beginning of the year, and I am eager to turn what I have learned into real software. European, Asian, and Latin countries have been studying and implementing gamified e-participation projects for over 20 years, but I've realized that for many of us in the United States, political life feels exhausting and opaque. My goal is to change that.

I'm developing a new software platform that will use gamification to make our democratic duties feel less like chores and more like a satisfying journey. More than just games, we will be applying powerful tools like points, levels, badges, and journeys to create virtuous cycles of usability and enjoyment. I want to build up motivation in disaffected voters and show people the tangible results of their civic actions.

I believe games can teach us many of the skills that are vital for a healthy democracy, like problem-solving, fast learning, and cooperation. Ultimately, I'm on a mission to bring some fun into civic life and help people become more invested in a system that can, and should, work for all of us.