We’re looking ahead to where in the world we’ll be in the near future. Our travel details are still under construction, but we have a pretty good general idea of where we’re going. The picture above is just one of several planned destinations.
Visas, new countries
In my recent reading of visa requirements and world events, I came across something called a Steel Visa. Have you heard of it? Perhaps not. It’s issued to citizens of a ‘new country’ called Praxis. This new country is modeled after what’s called a Network State, sometimes called a Sovereign Network. I’ve watched this concept grow since last year, but it’s been around longer than that.
Praxis is an online community with meetups around the world, that will one day be a physical location – a new city/country – somewhere on Earth. In fact, its CEO has been scouting locations in Greenland and other countries. Also in fact, Praxis held its “World Congress” meeting in the Dominican Republic and signed its “Declaration of Ascent” the day after Donald Trump’s election victory on November 5, 2024.
To be a citizen and get that Steel Visa, the website says you can “join Praxis as a Nomad, the initiatory role within our community. Nomads are considered for Steel Visa Citizenship based on their commitment, values, and contributions.”
The ‘join’ page asks for your X, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts, your job, and permanent address. I don’t know what else is required to obtain the Steel Visa Citizenship, or what perks you might get you as a tourist to nation states.
The Praxis mission is to create a utopic society based on western values. The first thing you see on the Praxis website is “RECLAIM THE WEST.” Seems elitist, and angry like MAGA.
Also, that CEO I mentioned reads “fascist authors … and has touted a book that argues Black people are intellectually inferior to whites.”
Praxis wants to spread across galaxies. Yes, as in outer space. Now wait! Before you think that’s crazy, or I’m crazy, know these things: I’m not making this up; this is a real effort that’s actually far along in the planning stages. It’s funded by extreme venture capitalists including Marc Andreessen, Sam Altman, and Peter Thiel (founder of major defense contractor Palantir). Praxis recently announced another half billion dollars in funding.
Defense experts say Network States will need a military since the physical location would be ‘rented’ by an ‘old-school’ country. (There already are manifestations of ‘Network States’, including Prospera in Honduras, and New Founding in Tennessee. Praxis says it will announce its plot later this year.)
These locations have or will have few, if any, regulations. They promote masculinity, high IQs, crypto, AI, transhumanism, and unchecked biotech research as the tech bros try to live forever. And schleps like us would be lowly laborers, like worker bees at the Giza Pyramids in another fallen empire.
In 2009, Thiel gave a speech about countries as we know them today. He predicted nation states would be replaced by a new type of country formed by people with aligned values and visions, unlike a democracy where differing values and visions coexist.
As DOGE dismantles large parts of the federal government, Donald Trump has endorsed the Network State idea. He calls it, “Freedom Cities.” (Read The New Republic’s take on that.)
I’d like to give you one more link about this. It’s a doozy. An entire website devoted to in-depth detail about this entire problem of tech fascism overtaking American democracy. I urge you to read it with an open mind.
In addition to defense, Palantir is a secretive surveillance company. It’s already tracking immigrants marked for deportation, and I’m gonna guess that protesting Americans are tagged next – if they aren’t already.
Travel plans
So, while social media sites are scrapped for your facial identity by Palantir, as Praxis picks its spot on Earth, and as ‘Freedom Cities’ gain momentum, we’re gonna travel now. Anything can happen – political upheaval, war, pandemic, illness or injury.
I write this from Thailand, where we are relaxing before we rev up for the remainder of 2025, which will take us to:
- Egypt
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Poland
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- Austria
- Bosnia and Herzegovenia
- United Arab Emirates
- India
Right now we are enjoying Hua Hin again! It’s my third time here, and spouse Tedly’s fourth. He came here without me when I went to the USA last year. Read his 10+ reasons to visit Hua Hin.
So, dear reader, again I say: Travel Now, because Life is Now.
Hope to see you out here!
Thanks for reading, “Visas, new countries and travel plans.”
About Ellen
Ellen and spouse Tedly started a budget slow travel lifestyle in 2015. She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer while traveling in Europe in 2018 through an annual mammogram. She had a double mastectomy in Croatia, recovered from surgery, and kept traveling.
As a recovered alcoholic, Ellen seeks out spiritual growth opportunities in a variety of ways during her travel life, including service work, volunteering, and the occasional silent meditation retreat.
Recent posts:
10-day silent meditation retreat at Dhamma Malaya
Ellen
Boycotts of American brands & uncomfortable questions for us travelers
Ellen
Indonesia expenses: Sumatra spending summary
Theo
/