By Mohit Hira
When the subtitle of a book claims it’s ‘A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future’, my guardrails spring up, a set of neurons start firing in my brain. Scepticism followed by wariness sets in. Because, in the volatile world of startups, there is no dearth of founders peddling pitches to investors, and this sounds like one of those claims.
However, those neurons are speedily suppressed as I flip through the pages of this book (actually titled The Anthology of Balaji) by Eric Jorgensen and peppered with nifty illustrations by a Jack Butcher). As I read through the just under 290 pages, scepticism gives way to a willing surrender of Balaji’s aphorisms that are nuggets captured and conveyed by the author—often with a humorous twist: “Building a billion-dollar company is like assembling IKEA furniture blindfolded— challenging but rewarding!”
There are, of course, motherhoods such as “The future belongs to those who build it”, “In a world of noise, seek signal”, and “Technology is the ultimate force multiplier”.
If some of them seem familiar, that’s because they probably are. Balaji does depend on some classics and then contemporises them. For instance, the 4 Ps of marketing become 6 Ps here: Product —What are you selling? Person—To whom? Purpose—Why are they buying it? Pricing—At what price? Priority—Why now? Prestige—And why from you?
Useful, but not entirely original. And once you get used to this, it’s easier to go with the flow.
On technology, his insights remind us that tech isn’t just about gadgets; it’s about shaping our world. Here are some gems from these chapters:
1. The Value of Technology: “Technology is the ultimate lever. It allows us to do more with less.”
2. Building What Money Can’t Buy: “The best things in life are not for sale.” Balaji explores how technology creates value beyond mere transactions.
3. Faster, Better, and Cheaper: “Technology drives progress. It accelerates our journey toward a better future.”
4. Unlocking Unseen Value: “Look beyond the obvious. The real magic lies in the hidden potential.”
5. Technology Determines Political Order: “The tools we create shape our societies.” He delves into how technology influences governance.
n the second section, his pursuit of truth is relentless as he challenges us to question assumptions and seek clarity:
1. The Power of Radical Honesty: “Truth is liberating. It’s the foundation of trust and progress.”
2. The Art of Thinking for Yourself: “Don’t be a parrot. Be an original thinker.”
3. The Unknowable Future: “Embrace uncertainty. The future is a puzzle waiting to be solved.”
In part 3—Building the Future—Balaji’s vision extends beyond the here and now. He encourages us to be architects of our destiny:
1. Start an Entirely New Country: “Why not? The world needs fresh ideas and experiments.”
2. The Network State: “Imagine decentralized countries, powered by technology.”
In that sense, The Anthology of Balaji is more than a book: it’s a roadmap to navigate our complex—and convoluted— world. So, yes, it is a guide.
As it happens at the start of any guided trip, a sceptic is likely to wonder whether the book is a medley of ideas or a mirage. But Eric Jorgenson’s compilation of Balaji Srinivasan’s musings does take the reader on a journey into the heart of technology, truth and the future.
What’s good about the anthology is that it does stimulate the reader to view technology beyond the mundane: from blockchain to biohacking, he covers it all. If you’re hungry for intellectual nourishment, you will find morsels aplenty. It’s radically honest: Balaji’s insistence on truth resonates with the ‘Satyameva Jayate’ philosophy, i.e., truth alone triumphs (yeah, I know you’re being sceptical now!) and this exploration of transparency and authenticity may strike a chord in the yet-unjaded Indian. His vision of decentralised governance is also intriguing: imagine India as a network state, powered by blockchain! It’s audacious, but isn’t audacity the hallmark of progress?
What’s not so good is that there is a fair bit of ivory-tower-speak where references to Silicon Valley jargon and cryptospeak might leave uninitiated Indian readers scratching their heads. The humour I’ve alluded to earlier is, frankly, bland. Balaji’s wit feels like a distant cousin of PG Wodehouse— restrained, polite and unlikely to elicit a grin. Finally, there’s a cultural context misfit: his global perspective can clash with desi sensibilities. His “start a new country” mantra sounds very much like a Silicon Valley startup pitch. And in a country that isn’t a sandbox but a cacophony of contradictions, the anthology could lose its appeal.
In conclusion, The Anthology of Balaji is like a typical masala chai—strong, aromatic, but an acquired taste for someone whose preferred beverage is the more refined and elegant Darjeeling tea. If you’re ready to sift through jargon and embrace impudence, give it a read. But remember, wisdom isn’t always served on a silver platter in an airconditioned dining room; sometimes, it’s hidden in the roadside dhaba.
Mohit Hira is co-founder, Myriad Communications, and venture partner at YourNest Capital Advisors. The views expressed are his own and not of the organisations he is associated with
The Anthology of Balaji: A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future
Eric Jorgenson
HarperCollins
Pp 290, Rs 399
