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Saved February 14, 2026
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The article discusses the emergence of new community structures and experiments, particularly through initiatives like Zuzalu. It reflects on the lessons learned from these popups, their challenges, and the potential for more permanent community nodes. The author emphasizes the need for innovative governance and deeper local engagement.
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The piece reflects on the growing trend of creating new communities and societies, inspired by the idea of allowing diverse "nations" to flourish. These range from digital countries and network states to more experimental models like popups. The author highlights various projects and movements, such as Balaji Srinivasan's "network states," charter cities, and even historical examples like EPCOT. The goal is to provide individuals with more options for communities that align with their values, shifting away from traditional, birth-based affiliations.
In 2023, the author initiated Zuzalu, a two-month popup city in Montenegro, bringing together around 200 people from various backgrounds like Ethereum, AI, and longevity. This experiment revealed the dynamics of community building and the importance of size and duration. A group of about 200 people was ideal for fostering subcultures. The author emphasizes that while popups allow for cultural experimentation, they encounter limitations, including high costs and challenges in creating lasting local connections.
The author notes that after Zuzalu, the concept of popups is gaining traction, with spinoffs like Edge City proving financially viable. Despite this, the article outlines that popups often struggle to achieve depth in customization and may inadvertently overlook deeper engagement with local communities. The piece concludes with observations about governance and legal autonomy becoming less relevant in short-term popups, as participants can easily create their own versions if dissatisfied.
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