Mon Sep 23 17:20:49 UTC 2024: ## Silicon Valley Visionary Launches Controversial ‘Network School’ in Malaysia

**Forest City, Malaysia -** Balaji Srinivasan, a prominent venture capitalist, has launched the Network School, a three-month learning retreat aimed at fostering “network nations,” a concept promoting anarcho-capitalist ideals. The inaugural class of 150 students began their program today in the Malaysian city of Forest City, a development notorious for its “ghost town” status.

The school, shrouded in secrecy, attracted applicants with a shared vision for creating “decentralized countries” – parallel societies with unique education systems, media institutions, and currency. While Srinivasan has not publicly revealed the location until recently, he has made clear the school’s values, emphasizing “Western values,” Bitcoin as a replacement for the US Federal Reserve, and AI as a superior legal system.

Applicants, some of whom paid $2,000 deposits without knowing the school’s location, have voiced concerns about the secrecy surrounding the program. However, Srinivasan has emphasized the school’s commitment to “technology, harmony, internationalism, and capitalism,” promising an environment reminiscent of Silicon Valley without the baggage of San Francisco.

The curriculum combines coding, social media engagement, and the pursuit of “proof-of-learn” NFTs. Students will compete for daily crypto prizes while enjoying group workouts, meals, and health lessons led by Bryan Johnson, a tech executive known for his extreme anti-aging regimen.

The school, located in Forest City’s duty-free zone, has raised eyebrows among critics. Some see the project as promoting “tech fascism,” exploiting low-wage labor, and exacerbating inequality. Others have interpreted the critics as showcasing the school’s appeal, viewing it as a sign of progress towards a new era of decentralized governance.

As the Network School kicks off, the world watches to see whether Srinivasan’s vision of a “network nation” will take root in the Malaysian “ghost town” and whether the school will succeed in creating a new model of society.

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