Vitalik Buterin discusses the challenges of flash cities and digital nations: Governance and membership remain key issues

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently revealed that despite proposing groundbreaking ideas, he is facing significant challenges in developing the concept of "popup city" and the broader "network states." During his speech at the 2024 Network States Conference held in Singapore on September 22nd, Buterin specifically pointed out that governance and membership are two key issues yet to be resolved.

Internet Nations: Societies Unbound by Traditional Governments

Vitalik's core vision is the concept of Internet Nations, transforming online communities into physical communities, ultimately seeking political autonomy. This idea highlights the importance of decentralized communities and how they can form societies not bound by traditional government systems.

Vitalik explains that Internet Nations may establish their own rules, rejecting the excessive regulations that often hinder progress in the West. However, he also acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the actual implementation of these rules.

Note: Vitalik previously shared his views on Internet Nations in 2022.

Zuzalu: An Experiment in Internet Nations

In his speech, Vitalik reviewed an experimental project called "Zuzalu," conducted from March to May 2023. This project brought together 200 individuals from various fields: Ethereum enthusiasts, cryptocurrency executives, biotech entrepreneurs, and scientists, gathering in Montenegro to address collective issues such as extending human lifespan. The idea was simple: "Bring these people together for 60 days, try to become a city, and see what happens." Vitalik used this project as an example.

Challenges in Zuzalu: Human Nature and Governance

Participants in Zuzalu engaged in activities like healthy eating, cold water baths, and yoga, which according to Vitalik, helped create a positive environment. This experiment emphasized the importance of establishing such communities based on human factors. However, despite successfully creating a temporary city, Vitalik admits that the next steps for Zuzalu remain unclear. Establishing effective governance for these communities continues to be one of the key unresolved issues.

Vitalik noted that while people enjoyed the experience, governance issues persist, making it challenging to determine the future direction of these Internet Nations. He mentioned that tribalism on current social media platforms could hinder the constructive relationships these communities require.

Flash Cities: A Sci-Fi Dream

Vitalik describes Flash Cities as a "new medium" to explore innovative and futuristic ideas, envisioning it as a place to "realize science fiction" and contemplate the future. He believes these cities could become hubs of innovation, where people can test new social models, experiment with different governance structures, and push the boundaries of human collaboration.

However, challenges lie ahead. Vitalik believes that tribalism is often "zero-sum and unproductive," serving as a major obstacle to the successful development of Internet Nations. He emphasizes that the sustainability of these nations depends on transcending narrow competitive mindsets and fostering cooperative relationships.

Vitalik Calls for Collaboration

Vitalik acknowledges that while Flash Cities may have found "Product-Market Fit (PMF)," many obstacles, especially in governance and membership, need to be overcome. He states that these two issues are crucial for the long-term viability of Internet Nations.

"To go further depends on our goals," Vitalik expressed. He concluded his speech by urging people to strengthen collaboration, even if their goals may differ: "We should collaborate more, even if our goals are different, we should think carefully about how to do it."

What Are Internet Nations?

The concept of Internet Nations was initially proposed by entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan and further expanded by Vitalik. This idea guides decentralized communities in a new direction, combining individual freedom with collective values. Some view Internet Nations as successors to libertarianism, providing a fresh framework to balance individualism and communal needs.

Vitalik's speech at the Internet Nations conference highlighted the potential and complexity of this concept. While the visions of Flash Cities and Internet Nations are inspiring, turning them into sustainable realities remains an ongoing process. Governance models, membership standards, and cooperation strategies will be critical areas to observe the development of this concept.