A Glimpse of Tomorrow

Life Inside Network School

When Network School was announced, my heart raced with excitement. As someone who has been following Balaji Srinivasan since 2021 and was deeply involved with his 1729 community, this felt like the natural next step in the Network State journey. Reading his book had already transformed my view of what future societies could look like, but now there was a chance to actually live it.

Of course, there were butterflies in my stomach. Three months on a remote island with strangers? Even for a digital nomad and Network State enthusiast like myself, that was a leap into the unknown. But the prospect of being part of this groundbreaking experiment - of turning Balaji's vision from pixels on a screen into a living, breathing community - was too exciting to pass up. I applied, got accepted, and now, having immersed myself in this extraordinary experiment, I can say that the reality has exceeded even my optimistic expectations.

This isn't just a school - it's the prototype of future human organization coming to life before my eyes.

A Solar Punk Reality

The school’s location is no longer a secret. Stepping onto the Forest City campus feels like entering a world inspired by Solarpunk visions brought to life. Imagine walking out of your room and being greeted by towering buildings covered in lush, cascading greenery. The line between architecture and nature vanishes, as plants spill over walls, weaving their way into every structure.

The Malaysian climate adds a unique character—warm, tropical days broken up by sudden bursts of rain, making the plants glisten even more vividly. Unlike typical cities, where greenery is squeezed into tiny corners, here it thrives as part of the design. At night, the glowing facades of the campus reflect a quiet yet persistent buzz of activity. Crypto markets are analyzed in real-time, debates about AI ethics continue over rooftop dinners, and students share the latest developments in their projects—some of which could redefine the way we think about finance, governance, and human interaction.

Daily Routine

My day begins at 7:00 AM with a peaceful meditation session on the beach, setting a calm tone for what lies ahead. By 8:00 AM, I join my classmates for an intense hour of exercise, which includes 30 minutes of high-intensity interval training led by a professional fitness coach, followed by some solo weightlifting. At 9:00 AM, we ease into the day over breakfast, enjoying conversations that often spark new ideas. By 10:00 AM, it’s time to focus on our work, with productivity taking centre stage.

Lunchtime at noon provides another opportunity to connect with fellow students. Every Monday and Thursday at 1:00 PM, Balaji or a guest speaker hosts a mini-class that offers fresh insights and perspectives. Afternoons are typically spent in our co-working space, which is designed to facilitate both collaboration and focused work. The 15-minute walk to the space has become a cherished part of my routine, allowing me to process the morning's conversations and prepare for the day ahead. The co-working environment is open and vibrant, encouraging teamwork while also offering quiet corners for concentration.

At 5:30 PM, I take a break for another meditation session, helping me recharge. By 7:00 PM, we gather for dinner, sharing not just meals but also engaging conversations. These moments have quickly become my favourite time for unexpected discoveries. Just yesterday, I found myself deep in discussion with a former Alibaba executive and a crypto gaming industry leader from Singapore. What started as casual talk about the previous day’s lecture evolved into a two-hour deep dive into the future of governance and a profound exploration of spirituality. I’ve started carrying a small notebook everywhere because these impromptu conversations often spark ideas that develop into full-fledged articles or projects.

As the day winds down by 10:00 PM, I take a moment to reflect on the structured yet flexible environment that continually fosters inspiration. Throughout the day, there are numerous opportunities to participate in student-led groups, like AI filmmaking or coding workshops. On weekends, we have the chance to explore nearby cities or embark on short trips to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Each encounter and conversation at school holds significant value, and I feel a strong sense of confidence that these next three months will be filled with creativity and innovative ideas.

The Bryan Johnson Influence

The integration of Bryan Johnson's Blueprint protocol into our daily lives deserves special mention. While we can choose traditional meals, many of us have embraced the optimization-focused Blueprint menu, leading to surprising results such as increased energy levels, better sleep, and improved mental clarity. The community aspect makes these healthy choices easier to maintain; when everyone around you is mindful of their health, it creates a positive feedback loop.

During the first week, Bryan Johnson presented his "Don't Die" philosophy, which focuses on humanity's relationship with superintelligence and self-preservation. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of maintaining life, health, and harmony with the environment as we navigate an uncertain future, serving as a holistic response to potential threats.

The core tenets of the "Don't Die" philosophy posit that humanity currently exists between two extreme possibilities. On one hand, we may evade the control of superintelligence; on the other, we might fall under its sway, leading to self-destruction. As intelligent beings, we have the potential to create miracles, but we must ask how to avoid self-destruction at this crucial moment. Key principles include:

1. Do not allow individual death: This encompasses not just biological survival but also the continuation of spirit, culture, and thought.

2. Do not engage in mutual destruction: This emphasizes unity and harmony, discouraging collective annihilation caused by internal divisions.

3. Coexist harmoniously with Earth: We must survive while coexisting interdependently with the environment to achieve ecological balance.

4. Do not be destroyed by AI: As artificial intelligence evolves, we must ensure it aligns with our values and does not lead us to extinction.

The central premise is simple: DO NOT DIE!! This applies to both physical and spiritual aspects. It is not only a personal goal but also a collective mission for humanity. This philosophy provides a powerful framework for finding common ground across differences, enabling us to work toward a shared future.

According to the "Don't Die" philosophy, maintaining health and longevity is fundamental. Bryan Johnson offers specific health recommendations to maximize life expectancy and maintain optimal well-being. Quality sleep is vital for enhancing energy, mental clarity, emotional stability, and creativity. Avoiding blue light for an hour before bed and establishing a regular sleep schedule can improve recovery.

Eating your last meal earlier reduces digestive burdens during sleep, helping to improve heart rate variability (HRV) and recovery. A healthy diet, along with regular exercise, significantly enhances life quality. It's important to avoid microplastic contamination and ensure you drink high-quality water, as it aids in detoxification and maintains metabolism. Regular, moderate exercise boosts energy levels and brings numerous health benefits.

In today's culture, the notion that sacrificing health for success is misguided. True success should be built on a foundation of health and sustainable living. By prioritizing physical well-being, we can improve life quality and lay the groundwork for facing future challenges. Through these simple yet effective health measures, the "Don't Die" philosophy provides guidance for individual lifestyles and a clear direction for coexisting with future superintelligences.

Rethinking Home

Living alongside digital nomads has completely shifted my understanding of modern work and lifestyle. Many of my fellow students have been working remotely for years, and their stories are eye-opening. One student, originally born in Hong Kong but having lived all over the world, sees life as an MMORPG—each new location is a level to overcome with its own unique challenges. From travelling solo across 30 countries to co-founding tech ventures, he embodies the adventurous, multifaceted life that many digital nomads lead.

Another peer, who has been a digital nomad for the past four years, working in crypto and tech, shares a similar story. After having worked with top blockchain projects and becoming an independent investor, he continues to travel through Southeast Asia, all while building new tools for assessing market trends and cryptocurrency influencers. His nomadic lifestyle fuels his creativity, constantly exposing him to new ideas and perspectives in both work and personal growth.

These conversations have made me realize that the traditional idea of being "tied" to one location is quickly becoming outdated. The digital nomads here aren’t running away from anything—they’re running toward a more expansive way of living and understanding the world. Their stories underscore how the freedom of location fosters a deeper engagement with life and work.

At the Network State conference, Pieter Levels, a pioneer in the digital nomad movement, shared insights on how this shift is not just about remote work but creating new communities untethered from geographical constraints. Levels mentioned how his platform, Nomad List, evolved into a global network of thousands of digital nomads. With more governments adapting their visa policies to attract remote workers, places like Portugal, Thailand, and Mexico have become digital nomad hubs.

Levels previously predicted nine years ago that by 2035, there could be a billion digital nomads—a notion that many deemed far-fetched at the time. However, the pandemic has reshaped the landscape of work, prompting a significant shift toward remote arrangements. Today, approximately one-third of the global workforce operates in remote or hybrid models, with projections indicating that by 2024, around 1-2 billion people will be working remotely, including 10-20% who identify as digital nomads.

Contrary to the stereotype of digital nomads as impoverished backpackers, the reality is quite different. Many digital nomads earn substantial incomes, with an average salary of $125,000. About 90% hold university degrees, and 34% possess master's degrees, indicating that this group attracts highly skilled talent to the Network State. The majority of male digital nomads are engaged in software development, while many female digital nomads work in marketing.

Interestingly, 66% of digital nomads are single, often due to the challenges of dating while frequently changing locations. Rather than bouncing around aimlessly, most digital nomads tend to stay in one place for several months, with an average stay of 64 days. Their relocations are often driven not by a love of travel, but by visa restrictions—an issue that Network States can address.

In this context, Levels highlighted the importance of creating a community among digital nomads. He and many of his friends have established their own mini Network State in a coastal town in Portugal, where they live in close proximity and experiment with a technology-optimistic village lifestyle. This vision aligns seamlessly with the Network State concept, which emphasizes connections based on shared values and goals, transcending physical borders. Digital nomads are not merely travellers; they are architects of a new society, embodying the principles of the Network State through collaboration and innovation that know no national boundaries.

Looking Forward: The Network State Vision

Living here has transformed Balaji's concept of a Network State from a theoretical idea into a vibrant reality. We’re immersing ourselves in the core elements he describes—shared culture, technological integration, and community governance—every single day. The speed of iteration is impressive; challenges that arise are swiftly addressed, and improvements are made based on the collective feedback of our community.

As I sit in my room, watching the sunset illuminate the vertical gardens with golden light, I’m struck by how normal this all feels now. What once seemed like a utopian dream just a month ago has seamlessly integrated into my daily life. Network School isn’t just an educational endeavor; it’s a working prototype of future communities.

The blend of structured learning, communal living, technological integration, and cultural exchange creates an environment where growth feels both natural and inevitable. When I first arrived, three months felt like a long time, but now I understand why many students seek extensions. There’s always more to learn, create, and explore in this dynamic living laboratory.

This experience has profoundly reshaped my views on education, community, and the future of human organization. It has shown me that with the right mix of technology, vision, and human connection, we can cultivate spaces that nurture both individual growth and collective progress. As we navigate the ongoing global challenges, the insights gained at Network School may offer valuable guidance for building more resilient, connected, and purpose-driven communities.

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