New Thoughts on Network States
TL;DR
The concept of a Network State is an interesting one. In short, a Network State is a sovereign state that originates from an online community.
However, this concept may be over-ambitious, and may overlook the fascinating phenomenon of online communities that affect the real world without quite attaining state-like status.
The concepts of “startup societies” and “network unions” deserve more attention. These are subcultures and institutions that could emerge from the Internet and gain real-world power. We are seeing more and more examples of this as time goes on, and it will change the world - ideally, in very positive ways that allow everyone to attain a sense of community.
Moreover, all these terms should be disentangled from Balaji Srinivasan, who created the terms but did not invent the concepts behind them (just as Adam Smith did not invent capitalism, but merely described it). Balaji has done significant work developing ideas relating to Network States, but should not be seen as the figurehead of a movement, as this would be counterproductive for all involved. Rather, this concept should be represented by the diverse range of people working to build their own vibrant societies.
Main Article
The concept of a Network State is an interesting one. In short, a Network State is a sovereign state that originates from an online community. Nothing like this exists yet, but it is hypothesized that entities like this will form eventually, especially as the Internet continues to grow in prominence. Even now, there are emerging institutions that behave like embyronic Network States. Here are some examples:
This graph was created in 2013 by Balaji Srinivasan, the first CTO of Coinbase, who would go on to create the term “Network State” to describe what is listed here as “cloud countries”. Since this graph was made over 10 years ago, you can probably imagine many examples of cloud formations that have occurred in the intervening time - worldwide demonstrations for causes across the political spectrum, and buzzing fan conventions that could never have been organized before the Internet.
Balaji terms these types of formations “startup societies” and “network unions”, depending on their level of organization. You might also consider them subcultures, parallel societies, or intentional communities. To me, these types of groups are even more interesting than Network States. They are far easier to build than sovereign states, and even in a world where Network States are common, startup societies would outnumber them.
Setting out to start your own country, while exciting, is very intimidating and somewhat unrealistic - but creating your own subculture is very doable! What’s more, Internet-driven culturogenesis is a process that is already happening widely and can be observed in real time.
Have you ever gone to a real-life meetup for an online subculture or fandom you’re a part of? If so, you have participated in this process. Here are some examples you may be very familiar with:
IRL meetups with bloggers, YouTubers, or other online personalities
Regular meetup groups or fanclubs for online communities
Conventions for nerdy interests such as video games, which most people would discover online
Comedy shows or concerts for entertainers with an online presence
Before the Internet, all of the above would only be possible through word-of-mouth. In 1970, you would only know your favorite comedian was coming to visit your town if you saw it advertised in the newspaper. What’s more, your circle of favorite comedians would be limited to those already active in your area or else with some kind of national syndication.
Today, you can follow comedians who perfectly match your tastes, even if they’re on the other side of the world - and you can start a club with fellow fans in your own hometown. This ability granted by the Internet will supercharge the development of unique cultures across the globe which otherwise would have had no chance to coalesce.
Because of these trends, the 21st century will become increasingly interesting. While for decades many countries have been drifting towards a monoculture, the Internet may enable a speciation into a dazzling array of unique subcultures. Many people today are already more acculturated by the Internet than they are by their neighboring communities. It only makes sense that people would want to befriend and live near others they share interests with. The Internet will make this more possible than ever before, and in the long run, Internet communities may begin instantiating themselves into the real world.
While some might view this with hestitation, it is undoubtedly a positive development. The crisis of the early 21st century is one of alienation and loneliness. Almost no one feels like they have a stable community, and this leads people to be hyper-vigilant against perceived aggression from political opponents. As explained in the excellent video by Kurzgesagt below, the fractiousness of the past few years has not been caused by “filter bubbles” or “echo chambers”, but by the opposite - individuals with diverging views being pitted against one another to drive engagement on social media platforms. The most extreme “filter bubble” tends to be one’s real-life friend group - which is usually quite placid in comparison!
Instead of using online platforms to bash one another, we should be fulfilling the promise of the Internet to improve our real lives. We can use the power of connection to create better friendships, relationships, events, and even lasting communities. We can overcome the spectres of loneliness and isolation and build new cultures, with new perspectives and artistic expressions that have never had the chance to exist before this moment. Whatever your calling or creed, the future looks incredibly bright.