Physical network effects: What I learned about the future of work at the Network School
When I started thinking about Better Things, I was fascinated by a simple observation: people are increasingly isolated in their homes, yet these same spaces could be the key to meaningful work and community in the AI era. This wasn't just theoretical – I saw it come to life during my three months at the Network School by Balaji Srinivasan. What started as ordinary communal spaces in apartment buildings transformed into vibrant hubs of activity: daily facilitated workout sessions in the gym within the residential building, DeFi enthusiasts running workshops from function rooms, musicians exploring AI composition in makeshift studios, parents organising playgroup dates in shared spaces, and residents turning lounges into dining venues and smoothie shops. It was a living laboratory that showed how shared spaces in residential estates could become catalysts for both community building and economic opportunity.
What struck me wasn't just the variety of activities – it was how naturally people stepped into roles as both providers and participants. The same person leading a morning workout session might be learning about DeFi in the afternoon. Beyond optimising space utilisation, it unleashed human potential in ways that AI fundamentally can't replicate. And that's exactly where Better Things - a platform where residents host, book and share services and experiences - operates.
Three pillars of impact
- Community-powered connection
We're enabling meaningful human gatherings that people actively choose over AI alternatives. When neighbours come together for a dinner party, they're not just seeking food (which AI/robots could prepare), but the joy of sharing stories, building relationships, and being part of a community. When parents choose a neighbourhood playgroup, they're seeking social connections for both their children and themselves.
The value isn't in the service alone, but in the hyperlocal, human connections formed through these interactions. AI might be able to teach yoga perfectly, but people will still choose human-led classes for the shared experience, accountability, and community bonds that form. Our platform enables these purposeful gatherings while making them economically viable for providers and hosts and accessible for participants.
This creates a new social fabric that people intentionally want to participate in, even as AI alternatives become available. The human element isn't just a feature - it's the core product.
- Space transformation
Empty spaces in residential buildings hold untapped economic potential. Function rooms become flexible studios hosting morning meditation and evening coding workshops. Residential gyms double as boutique fitness spaces. Unused dining areas transform into co-working spots by day and supper clubs by night. Rooftop gardens host wellness sessions and community events. Even living rooms evolve into photography studios or micro-classrooms.
In addition to space optimisation, the platform leverages existing resources, talents, and passions within a residential community to create dynamic opportunities for learning, wellness, and income generation. Each activated space multiplies the possibilities for both community engagement and economic growth.
- Democratising in-home commerce and hospitality
Our platform revolutionises access to both services and entrepreneurship through a "Share & Save" model. As a budding business owner, there's no need for costly commercial space or brand building – just existing living spaces and willingness to connect. For residents, when costs and spaces are shared, premium services become affordable while creating viable business opportunities. A private yoga instructor might be out of reach, but when costs are split among neighbours and the venue is a resident's deck, it becomes accessible to all while generating sustainable income for providers. This creates a virtuous cycle: as more services become accessible, community engagement grows; as community engagement grows, more opportunities emerge for new service providers.
Network effects for physical network societies
What's particularly exciting is how Better Things catalyses the formation of physical network societies. As Balaji noted, "cloud first, land last, but not land never" – we're taking this principle and turning it into reality. While the first wave of network effects lived purely in the digital realm, we're pioneering the next evolution: using technology to orchestrate and amplify real-world community networks.
Each new service provider and resident doesn't just add linear value; they create exponential possibilities for local connections and economic relationships primed for human flourishing. We're seeing neighbourhoods transform into dynamic networks of shared experiences and micro-economies. By bringing online communities offline in such a way, it uses digital tools to weave stronger, more valuable relationships in physical spaces. The result is a new kind of urban fabric where technology enables, but humans deliver, the core value.
Creating "1 Million Jobs 2.0"
Better Things enables anyone with passion and skills to become a micro-entrepreneur. A photography enthusiast starts hosting workshops. A retired chef creates intimate dining experiences. A fitness buff builds a neighbourhood wellness community. Each creator starts with one niche, then expands into many – perhaps the chef also hosts cooking classes, or the photographer branches into videography workshops. The platform encourages continuous creation and expansion, turning interests into sustainable businesses built on human connection.
The real magic happens in how Better Things transforms social connections into economic opportunities and vice versa. Through our platform, we're building the infrastructure for a new kind of community-based economy. When residents can easily share services and spaces, it creates a web of economic relationships that strengthen community bonds.
The Future is Human
The future of work isn't about competing with AI – it's about amplifying what makes us human. Better Things provides the infrastructure where people can constantly create and connect, turning homes from isolated units into thriving spaces of human potential. Each new connection sparks creativity; each shared experience builds community. As AI advances, our innate desire to gather, create, and build meaningful relationships becomes our greatest strength. We're building the platform that enables such human flourishing, making the future of work human, local, and rich with possibility.
I witnessed this firsthand during my time at the Network School. What began as dull and nondescript communal spaces organically evolved into dynamic spots of human connection and economic possibility. The smoothie shop that emerged wasn't just a business – it was a daily gathering place where relationships formed. The morning workout sessions weren't just about fitness – they created accountability partnerships and friendships.
In retrospect, the most powerful ideas often seem obvious: homes should be more than just places to sleep, neighbours should easily share services and spaces, and technology should enhance human connections rather than replace them. In a world increasingly dominated by AI, Better Things is betting big on the irreplaceable value of human connection. And that bet is paying off.