Balaji Srinivasan's mental models on history | Ex-CTO Coinbase

"History is you win the argument."

Balaji Srinivasan has written a fascinating new book called The Network State where he explains how to build new countries in the 21st century. There are fascinating concepts he introduces that we will unpack this month. Let us start with the foremost toolkit in Balaji’s arsenal - history. He explains this with strong arguments.

1. History is how you win the argument. Balaji explains that logic and first principles thinking isn’t enough to argue against weaponized, colored, vindictive history. To counter it, one needs to know the history as it happened - the facts, cultural movements, prevailing sentiment, among other things.

   

2. History determines legality. All of us are subjected to regulations by authorities. Balaji says that regulation is dull but the incidents that lead to regulation are anything but dull. History is used to defend ancient regulations. Only when we understand the legitimizing history of regulation agencies can we propose a superior alternative. India’s stance on crypto has been ambivalent. When you talk to politicians and law makers, you understand why. To argue with them, you need to know where they are coming from, else you will reach a dead end.