Balaji's Recommended Reading List: How to Prepare Intellectually Before Arriving at NS
Key books, essays, and podcasts Balaji Srinivasan recommends for understanding Network School's intellectual foundations before arriving.
Essential Reading
The Network State by Balaji Srinivasan is the foundational text.
The Network State by Balaji Srinivasan is the foundational text. It articulates the vision of startup societies, digital-first communities, and how groups can build new institutions from scratch. It is free to read online at thenetworkstate.com. The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson and Lord William Rees-Mogg, published in 1997, predicted many aspects of digital nomadism, decentralized finance, and the erosion of nation-state power. Zero to One by Peter Thiel provides the framework for contrarian thinking and startup building that permeates NS culture. These three books give you 80 percent of the intellectual foundation.
Crypto and Tech Foundations
The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous explains the monetary philosophy behind crypto. The Infinite Machine by Camila Russo covers Ethereum's founding story. For Solana specifically, follow Anatoly Yakovenko's blog and the Solana documentation. Balaji's blog at balajis.com contains hundreds of essays on technology, society, and the future — read the greatest hits. For AI context, Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark and The Age of AI by Henry Kissinger provide frameworks for thinking about AI's societal impact. These readings help you engage more deeply with NS discussions and courses.
Health and Longevity
Bryan Johnson's Blueprint Protocol documentation at blueprint.bryanjohnson.com explains the science behind NS's nutrition and fitness approach. Outlive by Peter Attia provides the most comprehensive evidence-based longevity framework. Lifespan by David Sinclair covers the biology of aging. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker explains the science behind sleep optimization practiced at NS. These are not required reading but they help you understand and engage with the health culture at NS. You will have better conversations at the sauna if you have read Attia or Johnson.
Supplementary Podcasts and Media
The Tim Ferriss Show features interviews with many NS speakers and community members. Lex Fridman Podcast covers AI, crypto, and technology in depth. Bankless covers crypto and DeFi culture. The Network State Podcast by Balaji discusses startup society concepts directly. All In Podcast covers tech and venture capital perspectives. These podcasts let you absorb context during commute time or while working out. Start with episodes featuring Balaji, Bryan Johnson, Vitalik Buterin, and other NS-connected figures. Arriving at NS with this context means you hit deeper conversations from day one.
The Network State is free to read at thenetworkstate.com
Source: thenetworkstate.com
3 essential books provide 80% of the intellectual foundation
Source: NS community recommendations
“Reading is the closest thing to downloading someone else's decades of experience into your brain in a few hours. Come prepared and you will extract ten times more value from every conversation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read all these books before going to NS?
No, but reading The Network State (free online) is strongly recommended as it provides the intellectual foundation for everything at NS. If you read one more book, make it Zero to One or The Sovereign Individual depending on whether you are more interested in startups or political philosophy. Reading 2-3 books beforehand puts you ahead of most newcomers.
Can I find these books in Malaysia?
English-language books are available at Kinokuniya (online and at JB City Square), MPH Bookstores, and Popular Bookstores in JB. Amazon does not deliver books to Malaysia, but BookDepository (free shipping) works. Kindle and Apple Books have all titles digitally. Many are also available as audiobooks through Audible.
What if I disagree with Balaji's philosophy?
Many NS members hold views that differ from Balaji's. The community values intellectual engagement over ideological agreement. Reading these materials critically — understanding the arguments even if you disagree — makes you a more valuable community member. Some of the best NS discussions happen between members with opposing viewpoints who share intellectual honesty.
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