Building a community of talented individuals is no longer as simple as it once was. Decades ago, business and community were closely intertwined. It was about nurturing your hometown, acting as a good steward for those around you, and creating connections that were both professional and personal. Talent lived, worked, and flourished within the same boundaries.
Fast forward to today, and that landscape has dramatically changed. The world has opened up, and with it, talent has spread across the globe. Hypernational corporations and the rise of digital nomads have disrupted the localized sense of community that once thrived.
Talented individuals are scattered, pursuing opportunities far from home, studying in different states or even countries, and embracing a lifestyle that allows them to work from anywhere. While this offers immense freedoms, it also presents significant challenges in forming meaningful connections.
"Talent density" has become a fleeting concept. When talent is spread all over the world, the costs of connecting with like-minded individuals become prohibitive. Flights, living expenses, visas, time zones - they all create barriers that hinder our ability to feel a sense of brotherhood and closeness with those we might otherwise bond with. And online communities, through platforms like Discord or LinkedIn, can lack the depth and intimacy that comes from shared experiences and physical presence.
I've seen and been part of efforts to bridge these gaps, such as the popup city in Montenegro sponsored by Vitalik. But even these well-intended solutions face obstacles. Not everyone can pick up and move for two months, aligning with new time zones and upending their daily routines.
A true sense of community requires members to go beyond mere acquaintance or shared interests. It's about mutual accountability, loyalty, and a belief that our destinies are tied together. That's something difficult to replicate when we're all scattered, communicating through screens, and feeling that intangible distance that separates us.
That's why I'm intrigued by the idea of "popup cities" for distributed communities. While costly, they could offer a way to recreate that sense of physical community and shared purpose. It would have to be compelling, and the reason for coming together would need to be powerful enough to overcome the logistical and financial hurdles.
As someone who has spent years building brands and communities, I recognize that the challenge of creating meaningful connections among top talented people in today's world is real. But it's not insurmountable. With creativity, intention, and a willingness to invest in what truly matters, I believe we can rediscover that sense of community that feels increasingly elusive.