Tech founder Balaji Srinivasan built the Network School in a nearly empty Malaysian development as an early experiment in creating a new kind of society.Tech founder Balaji Srinivasan built the Network School in a nearly empty Malaysian development as an early experiment in creating a new kind of society.

His case:

“The state is against you.”

“American anarchy, unfortunately, is sort of where we’re heading.”

“I just want to start a new country.”

The appeal:

“Come for the vision. Stay because you’re getting jacked.”

The reality:

“I ended up exploring the duty-free alcohol shops. That only lasts you a day.”

Former Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong:

“About once a week, someone would come into my office as CEO and say, ‘I can’t work with Balaji, and he’s causing so much collateral damage.’”

Then the project collided with the government of the country it was operating inside.

Srinivasan:

“We respect Malaysia’s sovereignty and are abiding by all Malaysian law.”

“If you don’t want our investment … we will of course respect your wishes, and reallocate our capital to other countries instead.”

Malaysia ordered the campus closed over licensing issues. Srinivasan quickly announced a new location in Kazakhstan.

“Our new campus will become a haven for global techno-optimism.”

One resident offered the quietest verdict:

“On a day to day, I’m not really thinking about that.”