Vitalik's second venture, the Ethereum sociology experiment of Zuzalu citizens

Author: shuyao

I spent a month participating in Vitalik's sociological experiment, what you know about Zuzalu may not all be true.

1. Excellent Infrastructure

Compared to seaside crypto conferences, Zuzalu feels more like an ancient Greek city.

You may have heard that this gathering—conceived by Ethereum founder Vitalik—has wealthy crypto moguls planning how to escape death here. Of course, what happens in Zuzalu is not limited to that.

I spent a month in Zuzalu, participating in a two-month temporary city project in Lustica Bay, Montenegro, and had the privilege of interacting with some of the smartest people in the world. The high concentration of talent is Zuzalu's secret weapon!

Upon arriving in Zuzalu (a fictional term), I registered for the project using ZuPass and generated a "passport" with a QR code, which is a zero-knowledge proof identity verification system used to validate residents' identities. This app was developed by a Zuzalu resident, and in fact, the technical solutions for this project were also supported by Zuzalu residents.

It doesn't take long to become fully acquainted with Zuzalu's key attractions. It is a beautiful bay, with green mountains dramatically extending down to touch the Adriatic Sea. Most participants (though it was said that 200 people attended, there were actually 700) stayed in apartments rented by the core organizers, with costs being only a small fraction of the actual expenses.

Students and others in need of financial assistance could apply for subsidies. I was delighted to meet my friend Eric Annan, a founder from Ghana who established a Web3 talent protocol in Africa. Thanks to this subsidy, Eric was able to come to Zuzalu.

This bay is owned and developed by an Egyptian real estate company, and it has almost everything you need: restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, cafes (the pistachio ice cream is delicious), pharmacies, children's playgrounds, and clothing stores.

During this month, I became friends with the local owners. They knew what kind of coffee I liked and always kindly offered free fruit when I was craving something.

2. My Favorite Place

In Zuzalu, my favorite place is actually the co-working space. You can host talks, group discussions, and hackathons here, and they also provide free food.

A large room with rows of tables, chairs, and a big screen reminded me of the library during my university days (my favorite place when I was in school). I love this place; it allows me to escape all social activities and truly focus on work. I also enjoy working alongside my friends, who are elite talents from various fields.

From smart contract developers to cryptographers, from security experts to advocates for network status, "borderless collaboration" enthusiasts, AI elites, and even Grimes, Elon Musk's ex-wife—walking around Zuzalu, you have the chance to interact with top talents from different industries. The collaborations formed in Zuzalu are unmatched by most crypto gatherings.

Aside from casual chats about crypto, the most common topics are "AI Alignment" or "X-risk." Here, as in other places, the debate centers on whether AGI could become so powerful that it removes humans from labor.

Flashbot, a project known for building MEV protocols and tools, hosted the entire discussion. People held differing views and engaged in intense debates during the nights in Zuzalu.

Such moments make Zuzalu feel more like an ancient Greek city square rather than just a seaside crypto conference.

3. You Can Certainly Oppose the Pursuit of Immortality

The media describes Zuzalu as a gathering of crypto millionaires hoping to pursue immortality through technology, but is that really the case? Indeed, some people engage in cold water immersion, fasting, and constant blood sugar monitoring to extend their lifespan. However, most of them, like Brother Bing, are just trying to live a healthy life.

In fact, many people would indulge occasionally. For example, some community members formed an anti-longevity group and held an event to eat pancakes with extremely high sugar content.

One member even added an "anti-longevity club emoji" next to their name: I don't think many people oppose longevity, but simplifying a diverse group and then supporting something can lead to problems.

Brother Bing loves having longevity experts around him. One morning, while I was eating a pile of fruit, a yoga teacher came over and told me that eating fruit before protein or vegetables could cause a sharp spike in blood sugar. The spike in blood sugar could lead to feeling more tired, moody, and lethargic throughout the day.

This exchange turned into a nutritional education session, which I still practice today (eat vegetables and protein first!). Although immortality is unattainable, I will live my life vibrantly on this beautiful planet!

4. No, Vitalik is Not the CEO

On the first day in Zuzalu, I met Vitalik, who was sitting next to a mutual friend, just finishing lunch and planning to hang out with two other residents.

Vitalik played a key role in Zuzalu's success: he initiated many core projects, invited speakers and participants, and answered community questions at the weekly town hall meetings. However, for most residents, despite being the founder of Ethereum and holding an important position, he seemed no different from other core organizers.

He eats breakfast like everyone else, hikes up the mountains like everyone else, participates in many salon-like discussions, and even sings karaoke like everyone else. Moreover, he shared hot pot with members of the Chinese community, which pleased me greatly since I am the founder of the hot pot DAO.

As a member of the community, Vitalik gives the impression that he is just another ordinary person in Zuzalu, rather than the elitist figure often portrayed by the media.

(Here, I also want to pay tribute to the core organizers: Nicole, Milos, Janice! They are responsible for daily planning, logistics, and security, and they take care of people's emotional needs.)

5. What Exactly is Zuzalu?

This is a difficult question to answer because Zuzalu is still young and hard to define. In media descriptions, Zuzalu is portrayed as a Burning Man without sexual activity, an adult summer camp for crypto millionaires, or more directly, an endless conference.

But for me, Zuzalu feels a lot like the early days of Ethereum: raw and uncertain, yet filled with optimism and excitement for the future. It is intentionally designed to be in an unfinished form. Its existence should expand our imagination and provide a new way of co-living—hoping it can serve as a model of altruism. I hope more countries will open similar social experiments and allow more curious people to experience the magic of Zuzalu.

Leaving this place felt very ceremonial, like the last day of graduate school, with many heartfelt goodbyes. Will I return to Zuzalu v.2? Of course. Will I live in Zuzalu forever? Will anyone live in Zuzalu forever? I asked myself this question in Zuzalu's Telegram channel (where I got fasting tips! So I can eat hot pot forever!).

I don't think I will truly leave Zuzalu because it has always been an online community at its core. Fortunately, before the next gathering, Brother Bing will continue to share wisdom with other Zuzalu residents, hoping we can reunite at the next Zuzalu v.2.