I speak with Jamie Joyce—a researcher, civic technologist, nonprofit founder of The Society Library, former Internet Archive project lead, and Democratic candidate for California’s 12th Congressional District—about what pushed her to run, including threats and local political “blacklisting.” We discuss how political incentives reward “gangster” tactics, why media literacy matters (informal logic, cognitive biases, and comfort with complexity), and how misinformation spreads through saturation rather than accuracy. Jamie explains dark money mechanics (Citizens United, SpeechNow, super PACs, and 501(c)(4)/(c)(6) disclosure loopholes) and outlines parts of her 750-page MAD Act covering campaign finance transparency, surveillance, AI governance, and expanded Epstein-file disclosures via NARA with strict chain-of-custody and whistleblower protections. We also cover distrust in political appointees versus civil servants, Curtis Yarvin’s “RAGE” idea, Democratic Party coordination failures, her “Just 12” congressional voting-bloc strategy, and lessons from Thomas Massie’s costly primary defeat.(01:55) Why Run for Office

(04:47) Threats and Pushback

(06:45) Gangster Politics Explained

(10:23) Truth Mapping to Soundbites

(15:56) Media Literacy Essentials

(20:02) Engineering Better Culture

(21:50) Dark Money and Super PACs

(27:38) Epstein Files Expansion Plan

(34:51) Deep State Narrative and Yarvin

(39:52) Silicon Valley Boy Kings

(42:35) Politics and Inner Wounds

(45:05) Building Truth Seeking Skills

(46:53) Glasses and Sun Epiphany

(50:35) Education and Democracy Levers

(01:00:02) Democracy vs Republic Explained

(01:03:24) Democrats Strategy and Reform

(01:10:07) Just 12 Voting Bloc Plan

(01:12:02) Massie Defeat and Dark Money

(01:16:51) Benjamin Franklin and Elders

(01:20:29) Closing and Where to Follow

Learn more about Jamie's campaign