More than 400 students, many of them aspiring entrepreneurs, have made their way to Forest City to join Network School, an experimental educational program founded by Balaji Srinivasan, a former Coinbase CTO and author of ‘The Network State.’ The initiative, which draws participants from around the world, is exploring Srinivasan’s vision for a new model of society rooted in shared ideology rather than traditional territory. This concept, first introduced in a 2013 Y Combinator speech, suggests that innovators can ‘opt out’ of outdated nation-states and create new, decentralized communities. The program, now based in Forest City, is conducting a real-life test of these ideas through coding sessions, product sprints, and seminars on statecraft and governance.
Srinivasan, who co-founded Counsyl, a DNA testing startup, before joining Andreessen Horowitz and Coinbase, continues to advocate for the ‘exit’ strategy, proposing that the ‘Gray Tribe’ of entrepreneurs and innovators can retake control of cities like San Francisco through a combination of influence and strategic alliances. His recent writings and public talks expand on this vision, suggesting that these new communities, bound by shared beliefs and digital tools, could one day gain diplomatic recognition. Despite the ambitious goals, the program faces challenges such as high costs, with Network School charging around $1,500 per month for lodging and food. This raises questions about the feasibility of scaling such a model and the long-term viability of these experimental societies.
At Network School, students are not just learning about technology and governance; they are also adopting Silicon Valley’s focus on health and longevity. The campus features a commercial-grade gym, special workout routines, and a protein-heavy diet, highlighting the growing trend of integrating wellness into the work ethic. While these practices reflect a broader cultural shift, they also underline the exclusivity of the program and the physical demands placed on participants. As Srinivasan and his followers push the boundaries of traditional statehood, the implications for global governance, economic systems, and social structures remain unclear. The success of this experiment could have far-reaching consequences, reshaping the landscape of innovation and community-building in the digital age.