5 Competitors:
Network School vs.
Network State vs. Social Network vs. Charter City vs. Typical Town
The Ultimate Blueprint: Why A Network School Surpasses Network States, Big Social Networks, Charter Cities, and Typical Towns
In the 21st century, humanity is reimagining the way we organize, connect, and build communities. From the rise of network states—borderless communities centered on shared values and governance—to the prevalence of big social networks, which have fundamentally changed how billions interact, new models for connection have revolutionized our world. At the same time, experiments in physical spaces, such as charter cities, seek to redesign governance and infrastructure for modern challenges, while the typical town continues to function as a legacy format, a patchwork of history, culture, and tradition.
But what if there were a better way?
Consider a network school, a visionary new model that combines the best elements of the network state and the charter city while addressing their respective weaknesses. A network school is not just a community—it’s a dynamic, purpose-driven incubator where people learn, innovate, and collaborate to create the future. Unlike the network state, it’s not limited by digital boundaries or ideological silos. Unlike the charter city, it’s not weighed down by the complexities of physical infrastructure and the slow-moving bureaucracy from setting up a public-private partnership. It also transcends the ephemeral connections of big social networks and the stagnation of the typical town.
This article is a deep dive into how these models compare—and why a network school stands as the ultimate solution for a new startup community project. By examining the strengths and limitations of each format, we will show how a network school surpasses them all, offering an unparalleled blueprint for building resilient, scalable, and impactful communities in the modern world.
Here’s the journey ahead:
- Network States vs. Big Social Networks: Exploring how digital-first communities create value but fall short of true sustainability.
- Charter Cities vs. Typical Towns: Analyzing the reinvention of physical governance and why legacy formats struggle to compete.
- The Hybrid Solution: Network Schools: Demonstrating how this new format merges the best of both worlds while overcoming their weaknesses.
By the end of this extensive analysis, you’ll understand why a network school is more than a concept—it’s the future of startup communities, economic ecosystems, and human collaboration.
*’A’ Network School NOT ‘The’ Network School
The concept of the network state was pioneered by Balaji Srinivasan, a visionary entrepreneur and author of The Network State: How to Start a New Country. Balaji also introduced “The Network School,” an initiative located near Singapore that integrates education and digital-first community building.
Give The Network School by Balaji A Look
Balaji Srinivasan’s The Network School offers an unparalleled opportunity to study directly with the pioneer of Network States on a serene, green island designed for innovation and focus. Admission testing is rigorous, but it’s worth it to join an elite cohort of future leaders learning cutting-edge strategies for building impactful communities and navigating technodemocratic systems.
Graduates leave equipped to reshape the world—and even pursue a path toward becoming one of the most respected leaders of technodemocracy in the digital age.
We’re Looking At The Incredibly Effective Structure of A School
However, the network school discussed here is not tied to his specific project. Instead, it represents a broader variation on the Network- concept combined with the structure of a -School.
Inspired by Balaji’s terminology and the framework in his book and app, many founders have adopted the Network- prefix to create variations like Network Village, Network Community, Network City, and Network Society.
The network school, as envisioned here, bridges the best of the Network- (digital, online community) and the School Campus (physical, offline collaboration), creating a hybrid model that transcends both.
Let’s Start Here: Comparing The Networks and The Cities
| Aspect | Charter City/SEZ | Typical Town | Network State | Big Social Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Transformation | Focused economic policies, attracting investment and fostering innovation. | Traditional economic activities, may lack diversity of industries. | Innovative economic policies, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. | Platform for economic interactions, social connections, and business growth. |
| Individual Happiness | Opportunities for upward mobility and improved quality of life. | Community-oriented living, emphasis on local culture. | Access to resources, services, and opportunities tailored to individual needs. | Social connections, access to information, and entertainment. |
| Business Success Rates | Supportive regulatory environment, access to resources, and streamlined processes. | Relatively stable market conditions, but may lack specialized support for businesses. | Business-friendly regulations, access to talent, and infrastructure for growth. | Platform for marketing campaigns, targeted advertising, and customer feedback. |
| Marketing Campaign Conversion Rates | Targeted marketing strategies and incentives for business growth. | May rely on traditional marketing methods, potentially limited reach. | Data-driven marketing strategies, tailored to individual preferences and behaviors. | Wide reach, user engagement, and personalized content. |
| Job Creation | Creation of employment opportunities through new businesses and investments. | Limited job market, often influenced by local industries. | Support for entrepreneurship, job training, and workforce development initiatives. | Platform for job postings, networking, and career development. |
| Community Alignment and Collective Action | Clear vision and shared goals, fostering collective action. | Community engagement and participation, but may lack coordination. | Transparent governance, participation in decision-making, and collaboration. | Facilitation of group activities, discussions, and events. |
| Popularity Contest | Privacy and Specialization vs. Popularity Contests and Bidding Wars | Opportunities for privacy and specialization, fostering innovation and creativity. | Limited privacy, potential for social pressures, and conformity. | Protection of privacy rights, individual sovereignty, and autonomy. | Balancing privacy concerns with data collection for user engagement. |
This comparison highlights how charter cities/SEZs and network states can offer tailored environments conducive to economic growth, individual well-being, and community development, while also addressing specific challenges and preferences related to privacy, specialization, and collective action.
Similarly, it contrasts the unique advantages of big social networks in facilitating connectivity and business interactions with the considerations of privacy and the potential for homogenization in online communities.
25 Point Analysis: Typical Town vs. Charter City
The table below compares the advantages of Typical Towns and Charter Cities, highlighting their scores across key criteria such as economic growth, job creation, and customization.
| Advantage | – | Typical Town | – | Charter City |
| Economic Miracle | 0 | Just a place to live and work | 1 | Specially designed to 10x economic growth in record time (eg. China) |
| Job Creation | 1 | Naturally occurring job market with no deliberate effort to create jobs | 1 | Specifically built to create jobs using an anchor industry and anchor tenants (Manufacturing Hubs such as Shenzhen made China ‘The World’s Factory’) |
| Wealth Creation | 0 | Residents do not have equity in the companies or commercial real estate, and may be blocked from investing by regulations, such as the need to be an Accredited Investor in the United States | 0 | Residents to do not have equity, however both residents and entrepreneurs can profit from being in on the ground floor of a city specifically built for extreme growth |
| Specialization | – | – | ||
| Control | 0 | Control is in the hands of the Municipal Government or Home Owner’s Associations | 1 | Public-private partnership devolves authority to the charter city, granting legal autonomy and innovative freedom |
| Customization | 0 | Residents can only customize their homes, and entrepreneurs can customize their buildings | 0 | Same |
| Collaboration | – | – | ||
| Supply Chain | 0 | Disjointed small businesses and offices, expected to find natural supply chain links with related companies randomly, if ever | 1 | Purposefully populated with companies related to the anchor industry of the city, creating a naturally integrated supply chain |
| Crowdsourcing | 0 | Citizens rarely vote and voting does not guarantee everyone’s voice is counted | 1 | Devolved authority and special purpose makes wider community involvement easier and even necessary |
| Game Based Tracking | 0 | No | 0 | No |
| Events | 0 | Based on local businesses organizing events | 1 | Both. Events are organized by local businesses and can be organized by the City Council, especially to generate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) |
| Innovation | ||||
| Education | ||||
| Fun Education | ||||
| Music | 1 | Hometown musicians create a distinct local style and even entirely new genres | 0 | No |
| Story | 1 | Loosely taught in classrooms and tourism pamphlets Passionately referenced as part of local identity, by residents and especially artists | 1 | Critical to the identity of the city and how it transformed the lives of its citizens and the wider economy |
| Smart Education | ||||
| Web 3 | 0 | May have high tech infrastructure integration and ID tools | 0 | May have high tech infrastructure integration and ID tools |
| Gamification | 0 | 0 | ||
| Financial Education | ||||
| Business Starting | 0 | Employment is prized over entrepreneurship | 1 | Often taught given the specific focus on innovation and economic transformation |
| Business Exiting | 0 | Job benefits are prized over individualized, early retirement plans | 0 | Same |
| Personal Development Education | ||||
| Typology | 0 | Typology is not used to organized and orchestrate talent; typical organizers are income, local status, race, gender and job type | 0 | Same |
| Spirituality | 0 | Materialistic | 0 | Materialistic |
| Success Rate | ||||
| $ Cost (Investment) | 0 | 70% Failure rate of new businesses after 5 years, deeply indebted entrepreneurs to pay for startup costs, skilled workers not getting hired, employed workers who cannot retire | 1 | A land of opportunity attracts healthy competition; it may require a higher level of play, however, both new founders can get traction and new hires can secure employment much more easily |
| Conversion % (Return) | 0 | Quantity over quality; disorganization and randomness makes success rate a numbers game, with many attempts at social connection and business transaction being a dud | 1 | Quality over quantity; a special economic zone, specifically built for a particular goal with only certain citizens in mind, makes success rate a matter of fit, with many attempts at social connection and business transaction being a win |
| Specialized Ecosystem | ||||
| Ecosystem Growth Phase | 0 | Phase 2: Scale (Centralization, Numbers Game) | 1 | Phase 3: Specialization (Decentralization, Precision) |
| Highly Aligned (Density) | 0 | Most people do not know most other people, and only have a small tight knit social circle | 0 | Same |
| Online Community | 0 | No social network for citizens | 1 | Often there is a city website and account login for citizens; sometimes with an whole social network |
| Capable of Collective Action | 0 | Citizens are too separated, and even neighbors may not be able to get on the same page, let alone accomplish a goal together | 1 | High concentration of citizens with high autonomy, in a special zone, working towards a similar goal, makes collective action effortless |
| Crowdfund New City | 0 | Not owned or planned by the community | 0 | Same |
| New Rules and Diplomatic Relations | 0 | Typical regulations, and typical relations with other cities and states | 1 | New, specially designed rules to make innovation and collaboration easy; with special public-private partnerships and trade relations with surrounding cities and states |
| SCORE | 3 | 14 |
The final score reveals a stark contrast: Typical Towns score 3, while Charter Cities achieve a remarkable 14. This demonstrates that Charter Cities far outperform Typical Towns in fostering economic transformation, job creation, and innovative governance.
25 Point Analysis: Social Network vs. Network State
The table below provides a detailed comparison of Social Networks and Network States, evaluating their performance across various criteria, including economic potential, job creation, innovation, and community alignment. While both models offer unique advantages, the results reveal a clear distinction in their ability to drive meaningful collaboration and long-term growth.
| Advantage | Score: Social Network | Social Network | Score: Network State | Network State |
| Economic Miracle | 1 | A place to get information, make connections and be entertained, which can make anyone with a phone a millionaire | 1 | Specially designed for collaborative economic transformation through high alignment and collective crowdfunding |
| Job Creation | 1 | Social networks are business networks and business networks are social networks. Every user can make money by sharing the revenue from ads on the platform, and many social networks offer the tech to sell digital memberships, ecommerce products, promote products and post jobs. | 1 | Building a cultural and economic ecosystem from scratch takes a lot of work. Dense interrelationships between netizens of the Network State and boards to post coin payments for an ever present list of needs for new projects (called ‘Bounties’), creates an endless stack of job opportunities. |
| Wealth Creation | 0 | Users have zero equity in the platform, do not own the their data which is used to make money for the platform and even have their data sold without consent | 1 | Crowdfunding, cooperatives and mutual investment create equity for netizens, which can grow over decades into big capital gains or generate continuous cash flow |
| Specialization | – | – | ||
| Control | 0 | Users can create their own channels and pages, build follower lists, collect millions of view, likes, comments and shares, but do not own their subscriber list, can be deleted or demonetized any moment and are ultimately beholden to the platform overlord | 1 | The nearly limitless possibility of software, shared network ownership, combined with decentralized, autonomous and collaborative decision making grant maximum control |
| Customization | 1 | Users have high customization options, using profile pics, thumbnails, banners, color scheme, dark mode, taglines, descriptions, pinned posts, title tags, hashtags, playlists and external links. | 1 | Same, except more. Flags, symbols, mottos, creeds, one commandment and 3D modeling are all expected. |
| Collaboration | – | – | ||
| Supply Chain | 0 | Popularity Contest. Bidding War. | 1 | The integrated system is interdependent, therefore, every netizen is special. Every netizen has a necessary role and skill and does not need any popularity or advertising to be recognized and celebrated. Purposefully populated with companies related to the anchor industry of the city, creating a naturally integrated supply chain. |
| Crowdsourcing | 1 | Web 2.0 was born with the comment section of articles and it’s greatest innovation is the Social Network, where all of the content is user generated and thus, crowdsourced | 1 | Extremely collaborative; a highly aligned online community, capable of collective action, that crowdfunds land together |
| Game Based Tracking | 0 | No | 0 | No |
| Events | 0 | Based on individual accounts organizing events | 1 | Both. Events are organized by local businesses and can be organized by the DAO or Network staff |
| Innovation | ||||
| Education | ||||
| Fun Education | ||||
| Music | 1 | There is not necessarily any music culture in a social network | 1 | National anthem, hymns, party anthems, recurring background music |
| Story | 1 | There are early adopters at the launch of the social network who are a part of it’s growth story, however, the other stories on the platform are from individual accounts and all competing for the same users at the same time | 1 | Critical to the identity of the network and how it transformed the lives of its netizens and the global industry it specializes in |
| Smart Education | ||||
| Web 3 | 0 | High tech, but mostly Web 2.0 | 1 | Network States are known for deep Web 3 utilization |
| Gamification | 0 | Yes, because views, likes, comments and shares are counted and publicly displayed. Users can filter content by view count and accounts by follower count; while accounts can be rewarded with check marks or plaques to reward status and rank. | 0 | On-chain activity on the Network State can be stored and counted immutably. Unlike social networks which can only count individual action, Network States can count collective action by many members with blockchain technology and offer shared banking solutions through a DAO. |
| Financial Education | ||||
| Business Starting | 1 | Social networks are business networks and business networks are social networks. Every user can make money by sharing the revenue from ads on the platform, and many social networks offer the tech to sell digital memberships, ecommerce products, promote products and post jobs. | 1 | Promoted and even needed, given the specific focus on building a full ecosystem from scratch, fostering innovation and catalyzing economic transformation |
| Business Exiting | 0 | Social networks make money by keeping users and creators on the platform forever, so there is no promotion of an exit strategy or of wealth building | 1 | Netizens of the Network State are often incentivized to ease reduce debt, build wealth, invest in the network, invest in each other’s products and build impactful businesses that can be invested in and successfully exit by acquisition or IPO |
| Personal Development Education | ||||
| Typology | 0 | Typology is not used to organized and orchestrate talent; typical organizers are income, local status, race, gender and job type | 0 | Same |
| Spirituality | 0 | Addicting | 1 | Self development and autonomy oriented |
| Success Rate | ||||
| $ Cost (Investment) | 1 | Free to play but hard to win. 70% Failure rate of new businesses after 5 years, deeply indebted entrepreneurs to pay for startup costs, skilled workers not getting hired, employed workers who cannot retire | 1 | Not free to play, but affordable and with a much higher success rate for members. A land of opportunity attracts healthy competition; it may require a higher level of play, however, both new founders can get traction and new hires can secure employment much more easily |
| Conversion % (Return) | 0 | Quantity over quality; disorganization and randomness makes success rate a numbers game, with many attempts at social connection and business transaction being a dud | 1 | Quality over quantity; a digital special economic zone, specifically built for a particular goal with only certain citizens in mind, makes success rate a matter of fit, with many attempts at social connection and business transaction being a win |
| Specialized Ecosystem | ||||
| Ecosystem Growth Phase | 0 | Phase 2: Scale (Centralization, Numbers Game) | 1 | Phase 3: Specialization (Decentralization, Precision) |
| Highly Aligned (Density) | 0 | Most people do not know most other people, and only have a small tight knit social circle | 1 | Extremely high alignment and connective density. Most netizens know each other, and interact through both work and play |
| Online Community | 1 | Obviously | 1 | A specialized social network, often private, curated, referral based or invite-only |
| Capable of Collective Action | 0 | It’s possible for small accounts to inadvertently spread a viral dance challenge, or for huge accounts to spread a meme or a charity cause. However, most users are too separated, not organized cohesively by category or hashtag, are often strangers to each other, hidden by username and avatar, and are more likely to be ignored in the inbox than accomplish a goal together. | 1 | High concentration of netizens with high autonomy, in a specialized community, working towards a similar goal, makes collective action effortless…and necessary |
| Crowdfund New City | 1 | Users meet online and meet for coffee, conferences, meetups, hookups and serious dates. Regular group interaction can lead to renting a venue, and regular dating can lead to moving in together. | 1 | Step 3 of 4 for the Network State is crowdfunding some territory to meetup at or live in. Crowdfunding real estate and building from scratch is a more serious and ambitious evolution to renting space for a meetup and moving into an already built apartment |
| New Rules and Diplomatic Relations | 0 | Typical regulations, and Terms of Service can be strict, sharp, unclear and even hidden, with enforcement occasionally being harsh and without customer service | 1 | New, specially designed rules to make innovation and collaboration easy; with special public-private partnerships and trade relations with related ecosystems |
| SCORE | 10/25 | 22/25 |
The final scores tell the story: Social Networks scored 10, while Network States achieved a commanding 22. This highlights the superior capacity of Network States to foster specialized ecosystems, enable collective action, and drive transformative innovation, making them a more robust model for building future-oriented communities.
25 Point Analysis: School vs. Network State
The table below compares the School and the Network State, evaluating their strengths across various dimensions such as economic impact, job creation, customization, and collaboration. While both models are designed to foster personal growth, innovation, and societal development, their methodologies and outcomes differ significantly.
| Advantage | Score: School | School | Score: Network State | Network State |
| Economic Miracle | 1 | A place to get information, make connections and be entertained, which is meant to prepare students for a lifelong career with ever increasing earning potential | 1 | Specially designed for collaborative economic transformation through high alignment and collective crowdfunding |
| Job Creation | 1 | Schools do not guarantee jobs, however their purpose is to prepare students for employment and will sometimes partner with large companies to place students in certain majors with a recruiter from the company upon graduation | 1 | Building a cultural and economic ecosystem from scratch takes a lot of work. Dense interrelationships between netizens of the Network State and boards to post coin payments for an ever present list of needs for new projects (called ‘Bounties’), creates an endless stack of job opportunities. |
| Wealth Creation | 1 | Schools can theoretically teach both professional and financial education, and some schools have paper trading programs to teach stock investing as early middle school. Many schools mostly teach professional education, but not financial education, which is why most people in the world have more liabilities than assets, with most of the debt coincidentally coming from school loans. | 1 | Crowdfunding, cooperatives and mutual investment create equity for netizens, which can grow over decades into big capital gains or generate continuous cash flow |
| Specialization | – | – | ||
| Control | 1 | School founders creative freedom in the design of the school and coordination of the faculty and student body. Students, however, have little control over the character of the school and their academic curriculum. Students are given a dress code, uniform, few cafeteria lunch options, timed lunch breaks, a rigid schedule of daily classes and recurring assessments. | 1 | The nearly limitless possibility of software, shared network ownership, combined with decentralized, autonomous and collaborative decision making grant maximum control |
| Customization | 1 | Tutoring is personally customized. Principles can customize nearly every aspect of the school aesthetic and curriculum design. Students have some room for customization in choosing their subjects of study and adding an artistic flair to their property, books, lockers and dorms. | 1 | Same, except more. Flags, symbols, mottos, creeds, one commandment and 3D modeling are all expected. |
| Collaboration | – | – | ||
| Supply Chain | 1 | Students are guided to combine their specific type and level of skills and collaborate on homework assignments, school projects, field trips, athletic games, school clubs, school parties and community service | 1 | The integrated system is interdependent, therefore, every netizen is special. Every netizen has a necessary role and skill and does not need any popularity or advertising to be recognized and celebrated. Purposefully populated with companies related to the anchor industry of the city, creating a naturally integrated supply chain. |
| Crowdsourcing | 0 | Most school decisions are top down, with little crowdsourcing or crowdfunding | 1 | Extremely collaborative; a highly aligned online community, capable of collective action, that crowdfunds land together |
| Game Based Tracking | 1 | Yes. Points, badges, levels, character progression, talent trees, specs, build, intrinsic motivation and stakes/reward, extrinsic motivation and stakes/reward, parties, squads, roles, chat and events. Scores and grades on homework and tests, GPA, diplomas, grades, graduation, major, minor, friendly competition and personal development, scholarships, time out, detention, suspension, expulsion, fail, pass, extra credit, Dean’s List, golden stars, cute stickers, plaques, medals, study groups, sports team, clique, cafeteria table, gossip, conversation, passing notes, school dances, pep rallies, meetings, talent shows, championship games | 0 | No |
| Events | 1 | Both. Events organized by the school and by students. | 1 | Both. Events are organized by local businesses and can be organized by the DAO or Network staff. |
| Innovation | ||||
| Education | ||||
| Fun Education | ||||
| Music | 1 | Yes. Marching band, party anthems, team songs. | 1 | National anthem, hymns, party anthems, recurring background music |
| Story | 1 | The school has a history, legends, and myths. The faculty and students have gossip. The students undergo the most transformative changes in their life story, together. | 1 | Critical to the identity of the network and how it transformed the lives of its netizens and the global industry it specializes in |
| Smart Education | ||||
| Web 3 | 1 | Can be as high tech as possible. | 1 | Network States are known for deep Web 3 utilization |
| Gamification | 1 | Yes. | 0 | On-chain activity on the Network State can be stored and counted immutably. Unlike social networks which can only count individual action, Network States can count collective action by many members with blockchain technology and offer shared banking solutions through a DAO. |
| Financial Education | ||||
| Business Starting | 1 | Business schools, accelerators and online courses teach beginners how to start a new business | 1 | Promoted and even needed, given the specific focus on building a full ecosystem from scratch, fostering innovation and catalyzing economic transformation |
| Business Exiting | 1 | Accelerators make money by getting at least 1% equity in the companies that go through their curriculum, with the intention of having those companies be well trained and supported with feedback and networking that the companies will successfully exit in 5-10 years and make every shareholder rich | 1 | Netizens of the Network State are often incentivized to ease reduce debt, build wealth, invest in the network, invest in each other’s products and build impactful businesses that can be invested in and successfully exit by acquisition or IPO |
| Personal Development Education | ||||
| Typology | 1 | Typology is mostly used for career counseling. Typology is not used to organized and orchestrate talent; typical organizers are income, local status, race, gender and job type | 0 | No |
| Spirituality | 1 | All schools are structured to guide students through life changing personal development. Many schools are founded by churches or associated with religious or spiritual organizations. | 1 | Self development and autonomy oriented |
| Success Rate | ||||
| $ Cost (Investment) | 1 | Can be as free as a MOOC lecture on Youtube or as expensive as a six figure tuition plus interest | 1 | Not free to play, but affordable and with a much higher success rate for members. A land of opportunity attracts healthy competition; it may require a higher level of play, however, both new founders can get traction and new hires can secure employment much more easily |
| Conversion % (Return) | 0 | Not good enough at connecting education with employment and skill level with financial freedom. Would be more successful if students were clearly guided to the best fit learning path, given money-making assignments as part of the curriculum, trained in both general skills and company certifications, and seamlessly placed in front of job offers before they even graduate. | 1 | Quality over quantity; a digital special economic zone, specifically built for a particular goal with only certain citizens in mind, makes success rate a matter of fit, with many attempts at social connection and business transaction being a win |
| Specialized Ecosystem | ||||
| Ecosystem Growth Phase | 0 | Phase 3: Specialization (Decentralization, Precision), Phase 4: Customization | 1 | Phase 3: Specialization (Decentralization, Precision) |
| Highly Aligned (Density) | 0 | Most people do not know most other people, and only have a small tight knit social circle | 1 | Extremely high alignment and connective density. Most netizens know each other, and interact through both work and play |
| Online Community | 1 | Obviously | 1 | A specialized social network, often private, curated, referral based or invite-only |
| Capable of Collective Action | 0 | It’s possible for small accounts to inadvertently spread a viral dance challenge, or for huge accounts to spread a meme or a charity cause. However, most users are too separated, not organized cohesively by category or hashtag, are often strangers to each other, hidden by username and avatar, and are more likely to be ignored in the inbox than accomplish a goal together. | 1 | High concentration of netizens with high autonomy, in a specialized community, working towards a similar goal, makes collective action effortless…and necessary |
| Crowdfund New City | 1 | Users meet online and meet for coffee, conferences, meetups, hookups and serious dates. Regular group interaction can lead to renting a venue, and regular dating can lead to moving in together. | 1 | Step 3 of 4 for the Network State is crowdfunding some territory to meetup at or live in. Crowdfunding real estate and building from scratch is a more serious and ambitious evolution to renting space for a meetup and moving into an already built apartment |
| New Rules and Diplomatic Relations | 0 | Typical regulations, and Terms of Service can be strict, sharp, unclear and even hidden, with enforcement occasionally being harsh and without customer service | 1 | New, specially designed rules to make innovation and collaboration easy; with special public-private partnerships and trade relations with related ecosystems |
| SCORE | 19/25 | 22/25 |
With final scores of School: 19 and Network State: 22, the comparison highlights the competitive edge of Network States in areas like crowdfunding, specialization, and collective action. However, schools remain a powerful framework for personal development and career preparation, making them a close contender in shaping future-focused communities. Both models offer valuable insights for building resilient, impactful ecosystems.
A School Is The Ideal Form of The Startup Community
Charter City + Network State = Network School
Startup communities generally fall into one of four categories:
- Online Community
- Co-Living/Network City
- Network State/Digital Free Zone
- Startup City/Charter City/Special Economic Zone (SEZ)
Among these, a school emerges as the ideal format for a startup community, seamlessly combining the advantages of all four types while minimizing their drawbacks. Here’s why:
- Blended Features: A school can integrate the strengths of each model, featuring an online portal with profiles, coursework, and collaboration tools (like an Online Community), an off-campus office or venue for meetups and co-living (like a Network City), and a legally customized digital free zone for high-tech innovation (like a Network State). On top of that, the campus itself can serve as a hub with the infrastructure, amenities, and design of a mini city (like a Charter City or SEZ).
- Magnet for Top Talent: Schools naturally attract a paying, motivated community of entrepreneurs, creatives, and top talent who are drawn by the promise of learning, innovation, and opportunity. This creates a willing, self-funded community primed for success.
- Alignment and Connection: A school fosters high alignment and dense connections, both professionally and socially. Through scheduled coursework, collective activities, and shared goals, participants become part of a tightly knit, highly organized ecosystem.
- Physical and Digital Collaboration: Schools are uniquely equipped to balance physical campuses with digital tools, providing a controlled, private, and customized environment for learning, collaboration, and innovation.
- Public-Private Partnerships: By collaborating with municipal leaders, business executives, and investors, schools can secure funding and partnerships that accelerate growth while ensuring long-term sustainability.
In essence, schools are the ultimate startup community model, offering an unparalleled structure for cultivating innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic impact while leveraging the best aspects of digital and physical spaces.
| 4 Advantages of the Network School | ||||
| # | Step | Startup Community (Charter City-Network State) | Network School | Example |
| 1 | Highly Aligned Online Community | Innovation Hub | Naturally Disintegrated: Netizens choose membership and community involvement, however citizens of the city are just choosing a place to live, not a social group to join. | Systemic Integrity: Use education to teach core values and principles. Chosen: Membership is chosen and paid for at the start, not with coercion, a popularity contest, or the randomness of birthplace. | Paid Membership, Expected Social Interaction and Academic Commitment |
| 2 | Collective Action | Collaboration Hub | Stranger Neighbors, NIMBY, Ignored Leaflets, Political Bipartisanship. Without private community organizations, citizens may not even know their neighbors, let alone go to regular City Hall meetings and move in step to successfully improve their community. | Teams, Dating, Classmates, Clubmates, Dorm Roomates | Research Projects, Inventions and Discoveries, Marching Band, Pep Rally, School Project |
| 3 | Crowdfund Territory | New City | Cost, Zoning, Regulations, Environmental Blocks, Political Alliances | Cheaper, Private Territory, Build What You Want, Crowdfund New Development, Customizable, City Amenities | Campus Expansion, Renovation, Endowment Funding |
| 4 | Diplomatic Recognition | New Rules | Mysterious, Expropriation, Competition | Matriculation, Community Service Volunteering (Fundraiser, Donations, Campaigning, Student Unions, Recycling, Refugee Aid, Tutoring), Train Business Leaders and Top Talent and Send Off Graduates To Create Capital for Countries Internationally, Pillar of the Community, Above Board, Transparent, Government As A Customer | Hong Kong Expropriation |
Adults Need School Too
It’s no wonder that school has been the cornerstone of personal development during our formative years, laying the foundation for the rest of our lives.
Now consider this: school occupies just a third or a quarter of a typical lifespan, and yet 15-20 years of schooling are deemed sufficient to prepare us for the remaining 40-60 years. The reason is clear—school provides a unique and hyper-concentrated structure to guide our growth, learning, and social development.
However, once we leave school—often concluding with college—the structure of daily life shifts dramatically. The predictable schedules, social networks, and step-by-step progressions we once relied on to grow and achieve disappear. For many, this transition leads to a sudden drop in both personal growth and social enjoyment, as life becomes more fragmented, less predictable, and harder to coordinate.
The solution? Bring back the school structure for adults. Imagine a world where the benefits of school—its ability to organize our lives for maximum growth, connection, and fulfillment—continue for our entire lifetimes. By maintaining this structure, we could make it easier than ever to live the good life and become our best selves.
The Two Core Values of School
The essence of school can be distilled into two simple, interconnected halves:
- Social:
- The Good Life: Fun, play, enjoyment, and energy.
- Why It Matters: A vibrant social life makes living more motivating and effortless, reducing the cost (in time and effort) to get what we want.
- How It Relates: It’s tied to the sense of belonging to a highly aligned online or physical community.
- Academic:
- Our Best Self: Learning, work, achievement, and skill development.
- Why It Matters: The accuracy and effectiveness of our actions determine how often we succeed and grow.
- How It Relates: By improving our ability to coordinate with others and increasing the return on our efforts, we become capable of achieving collective action at scale.
By adopting a school-like structure for adults, we create a system that simultaneously nurtures social vibrancy and personal excellence, offering a clear path to a more fulfilling and productive life. Adults need school too—because growth, learning, and connection are lifelong pursuits.
Social: The Unique Power of the School Structure
The social half of school is structured to make dense, meaningful connections nearly unavoidable. As students, we spend hours every day with classmates in various contexts—classrooms, sports practices, afterschool programs, and weekend hangouts. This constant interaction builds an extraordinary level of social alignment and connection, setting the stage for lifelong friendships, romantic relationships, and even professional collaborations.
One of the most effective ways to forge bonds is through shared challenges, combining competition and cooperation. Schools are rich with these opportunities:
- Games and Competitions: Championship games, knockout tournaments, and social club events.
- Public Performances: Talent shows, theater and dance performances, recitals, and band concerts.
- Collaborative Learning: Science fairs, group projects, and class presentations.
These activities force us to work together, have fun, and grow as a group, creating deep and energizing connections.
Rituals That Bond: Parties and Meals
- Parties and Events
Schools are inherently event-based, with schedules full of block classes, recess, holidays, game days, and performances. These events become social hubs where friendships and romantic relationships thrive.
- On-Campus Events: School dances (like prom), holiday celebrations, and game-day meetups.
- Off-Campus Gatherings: Birthday parties, summer pool parties, spring break group rentals, and house parties.
School structures make socializing and dating nearly mandatory. Crushes bloom in class, laughs are shared during recess, and meaningful connections deepen at dances, parties, and hangouts. The frequent, scheduled meetups remove barriers like long-distance facetime calls, busy schedules, and the hassle of arranging dates. Relationships unfold naturally, as students work, learn, and play together every day.
- Eating Together
Eating together is one of the most universal and reliable ways to form bonds. Schools amplify this by scheduling daily meals with classmates in cafeterias or on outdoor benches. These shared meals reflect the same bonding rituals we see in professional and recreational settings:
- Professionally: Lunch with co-founders, clients, or coworkers builds collaboration and trust.
- Recreationally: Cookouts with family, drinks with friends, or romantic dinners deepen connections.
In school, these daily meals are baked into the schedule, creating a natural environment for forming lifelong friendships and partnerships.
The Results: Lifelong Social Bonds
The school structure’s impact on social life is profound. In this environment, we:
- Build lifelong friendships.
- Find workout partners, co-founders, and job referrals.
- Experience romance: first crushes, first kisses, and even lifelong partnerships with high school or college sweethearts.
It’s no surprise that workplaces often replace school as the next structured environment where we meet best friends or romantic partners. Like school, work life provides daily interaction, shared challenges, and bonding opportunities through projects, events, and meals.
Social Life in School and Beyond
The uniquely concentrated social structure of school creates an unparalleled environment for forming meaningful relationships. From deep friendships to romantic connections and even professional partnerships, school is the foundation of our social lives. Its rituals—events, shared challenges, and daily meals—are universal human bonding mechanisms that lay the groundwork for personal and professional fulfillment.
Carrying this social structure into adulthood could unlock a richer, more connected life for everyone.
Academic: The Engine of Growth and Mastery
The academic half of school is structured to make rapid growth and skill acquisition nearly inevitable. Two core features drive this effectiveness: a well-designed curriculum and a meticulously planned schedule. Together, they create a system that can take students from learning their ABCs to writing PhD dissertations, ensuring steady, measurable progress at an accelerated pace.
The Curriculum: A Gamified Learning Path
The power of the curriculum lies in its design. It’s not random or mysterious—every student knows what to learn, when to learn it, and why it matters. This clarity energizes students and turns their educational journey into a gamified progression system. Even without explicitly adding gamification techniques, the curriculum naturally functions like a game with levels, achievements, and rewards.
- Merit-Based Learning
The curriculum provides both general skills and specialized professional skills, preparing students for both life and work.- General Skills: Students gain a well-rounded education, covering language, math, public speaking, writing, geography, social studies, science (chemistry and biology), arts, music, theater, sports, teamwork, physical education, and even sex ed.
- Specialized Skills: At the collegiate level, students focus on career-specific knowledge and hyper-specialized professional skills, building the foundation for their future careers.
The assessment system amplifies the gamification. Students are continuously tested and scored, engaging in a dynamic process of intrinsic and extrinsic achievement. Each test, grade, and certificate becomes a milestone in their academic progression, fostering measurable growth and sustained motivation.
The word curriculum itself comes from the Latin word meaning “to run,” evoking an image of a spiraling track. It represents an integrated and cyclical path of courses and assessments, guiding students through an evolutionary process that unfolds their potential at extraordinary speed.
The Schedule: Timing Learning for Maximum Impact
The second half of the academic system is the schedule, which structures learning in time. This ensures:
- Consistency: Daily classes, weekly tests, and semester milestones create a predictable rhythm.
- Focus: Students focus on one subject at a time while building connections across disciplines over the long term.
- Momentum: A step-by-step progression prevents stagnation and keeps students moving forward.
With a clear schedule, students experience continuous growth without needing to make decisions about what to study next. The system automates their learning path, freeing them to focus on mastering the material.
Solving Loneliness and Joblessness
The academic structure of school doesn’t just build knowledge—it solves two of the most pressing issues in adulthood: loneliness and joblessness.
- Eliminating Loneliness:
- The shared learning path fosters constant collaboration, teamwork, and social bonding. Whether it’s study groups, class projects, or shared challenges, the academic environment naturally builds relationships.
- Eliminating Joblessness:
- The curriculum equips students with both general and specialized skills, making them highly employable. The consistent focus on assessments and achievements ensures that graduates are prepared for the workforce, with clear pathways to employment or entrepreneurial ventures.
The Academic Blueprint
The academic structure of school is unparalleled in its ability to create highly skilled, well-rounded individuals. Its combination of a merit-based curriculum and a structured schedule not only accelerates personal growth but also ensures students are prepared for life’s challenges. By carrying this academic model into adulthood, we could address critical societal issues like isolation and unemployment, creating a world where continuous learning and collaboration are the norm.
| The School Game | |
| School | Game |
| Homework Grades, Test Scores, Report Card, GPA | Points |
| Sticker (Wow!, Gold Star), Certification, Diploma, Dean’s List, Summa Cum Laude, Prom King and Queen, Class President, “Voted Most Likely To…”, MVP, MIP, State Champion, Gold Medal | Badges |
| Grades, Degrees [Primary, Elementary, Middle, High, Graduate, Post Graduate] | Levels, Rank |
| School Rivalry, Global Market, International Rank, Classmates, Team Sports, School Club Competitions | Competition |
| Study Buddy, Classmates, Research Team, Team Sports, School Clubs | Cooperation |
| Course Curriculum, 101, 201, Prerequisites | Talent Tree |
| Major, Minor, Electives, Liberal Arts | Profession, Class, Specs |
| Uniform, Jersey, Yearbook Pictures, Afterschool Programs, Hobbies | Build |
| 20 year Life Prep, “I’m going to be an astronaut.”, Graduation | Character Progression |
| Major, Minor, School Project | Guild |
| Mascot, School Spirit, Team Sports, Best Friends, Clique, Crushes, Dating, Yearbook, Alma Mater | Party |
| Quiz, First Kiss, First Date, First Dance | Quest, Milestone |
| Test, Final Exam, Entrance Exam, Standardized Test, Final Essay, Dissertation, Prom Date | Boss Fight |
| Homework, Pop Quiz, Quiz, Paper | Minions, Mooks, Mobs, Fodder |
| School Paper, Message Board, Online Portal | Chat |
| Teachers | NPCs |
The Academic Structure: A Gamified Path to Mastery
The academic half of school is inherently gamified, offering a structured system of progression that mirrors the mechanics of popular games. This design makes it easy for students to level up as they move through a clear learning path, complete with milestones, rewards, and challenges.
Gamification: Progression and Rewards
In games, talent trees guide players on what to learn and unlock at each threshold, with clear sets of quests to complete along the way. Similarly, the academic system provides:
- Merit: Students progress through coursework with built-in gamification elements like assessment, certification, and measurable growth. Each test passed, project completed, and certificate earned becomes a visible marker of achievement.
- Curriculum: A well-defined learning path ensures students always know what to learn and in what order, providing clarity and purpose at every stage.
This gamified progression keeps students engaged, motivated, and energized as they achieve mastery over time.
Competition: A Healthy Drive to Excel
Another parallel to games is the presence of competition, which drives growth and innovation. In school, students compete with:
- Classmates: Friendly rivalries during tests, presentations, and projects help push individuals to their best.
- Contemporaries in Other Markets: As students grow, they prepare to compete with peers from other schools and regions, fostering a spirit of global readiness.
Competition ensures that students not only meet the bar but strive to exceed it, fostering excellence and resilience.
Event-Based Learning: Structured and Timed
Like games, schools are event-based and timed, with scheduled challenges to maintain focus and momentum.
- Quests and Milestones: Daily classes, weekly tests, and semester finals act as quests that guide students through their academic journey.
- Scheduled Events: Science fairs, talent shows, sports games, and recitals create opportunities for performance, validation, and celebration.
This system keeps students engaged with regular milestones that mark their progress and provide consistent motivation.
Conclusion: School as the Ultimate Learning Game
The academic structure of school transforms education into a gamified experience, leveraging:
- Merit: Gamification, progression, assessment, and certification.
- Competition: Friendly rivalries with classmates and global peers.
- Curriculum: A clear, ordered learning path that eliminates guesswork.
By combining these elements, school ensures that learning is not only effective but also deeply engaging, structured, and rewarding—just like the best games. Carrying this structure into adulthood could revolutionize lifelong learning, making personal growth as exciting as leveling up in a game.
The School Schedule Keeps The Student Constantly Immersed
Time Control: Schedule, Deadlines, Homework
Goal: 20 year plan
| 7 Cycles of School Career | ||||||
| 20+ years | 12 Months | 2 Semester | M-F | 7+ hrs/Day | ||
| Grad School | Semester 2/2 | Home-work and Studying | ||||
| College | After-school | |||||
| High-school | Class | |||||
| Middle School | Semester 1/2 | Break: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer | Lunch | |||
| Primary School | 1st Quarter | Monday – Friday | Class | |||
The Orchestrated Rhythm of School: A Masterclass in Structured Progression
School is a time monopoly, creating an all-encompassing structure that governs both our present and future. Whether we’re in class, doing homework, studying, practicing arts, or performing in recitals and games, school is always either in the foreground or background of our lives. From daily routines to multiyear plans, school dominates our time, keeping us focused and consistently moving forward toward a long-term goal: entering the workforce and building a career.
Time Management: The Framework of Progress
For roughly 20 years, school provides a dedicated long-term plan, dividing life into manageable cycles that span from elementary/primary school to middle school, high school, and finally college or university. This journey is divided into increasingly smaller and more focused units:
- Multiyear Blocks: Each phase of education—primary, middle, high school, and college—represents a significant chapter in life.
- Yearly Grades: Each grade builds upon the last, providing a clear progression.
- Semester Rhythms: Two semesters per year, punctuated by long summer and winter breaks, shorter holidays like spring break, and occasional long weekends.
- Weekly Structure: Five school days (Monday to Friday) balanced with weekends (Saturday and Sunday) for recovery and preparation.
- Daily Schedules: Eight-hour school days divided into classes, breaks for snacks and lunch, and after-school programs like sports, arts, or volunteering.
Subtracting eight hours of sleep and a couple of hours for errands, nearly all remaining time—classwork, homework, practice, performances, and studying—is centered on school. This highly structured and scheduled environment ensures that students remain fully immersed in the process of development.
Assessment: The Logical Cycle of Achievement
The school system’s rhythm of assessment and progression is as logical as it is beautiful. Students move through a consistent cycle of learning, practicing, presenting, and being evaluated:
- Classwork and Homework: Each class introduces new concepts, followed by homework to reinforce and practice them.
- Pop Quizzes and Quizzes: Early tests provide quick feedback and prepare students for larger evaluations.
- Research and Papers: Weekend assignments encourage independent exploration of topics.
- Group Projects and Presentations: Collaborative tasks foster teamwork, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.
- Tests and Exams: Major evaluations culminate in final exams and papers that measure cumulative knowledge.
- Report Cards and Grades: Final grades for each class are recorded and aggregated into a yearly Report Card, determining whether the student advances to the next grade.
This orchestrated rhythm of assessments ensures steady developmental momentum, with each cycle building upon the last. It mirrors the structure of a role-playing game (RPG), where players progress through a talent tree, completing quests, mastering skills, and leveling up their characters over time.
The Beauty of Preplanned Momentum
School’s structure is a preplanned masterpiece, seamlessly combining group learning, practice, presentation, and assessment into a continuous developmental flow. This design allows students to:
- Progress logically and systematically through 20 years of character development.
- Maintain momentum year after year, never stagnating or losing focus.
- Experience a balance of individual learning and collaborative growth, ensuring a well-rounded education.
The RPG of Life
The logical and beautiful orchestration of school transforms education into an unparalleled journey of personal and collective growth. By monopolizing our time and structuring it around purposeful activities, school mirrors the mechanics of an RPG, where players continuously level up through a series of well-designed quests. This rhythm of progression not only prepares students for their future but also demonstrates the extraordinary power of a structured, gamified approach to lifelong learning.
You can get all of the benefits of a network school by joining other Worldbuilders to collaborate in Nukanga Network School.