A discussion for SXSW 2020: In the not too distant future, we will bare witness to the creation of the first, socially-born, virtual nations. Millions of like-minded people that would typically be divided by language, geography or social standing, are coming together to start something new, something unique. An inclusive digital space with its own language, culture, history, currency, ideological point of view and above all, power in the world. But how did we get here?

1. SXSW 2020
Tom Bellamy

2. The declaration of independence…

3. Cryptocurrency…

4. Brexit…

5. Terrorism.

6. What have they got in common?

7. THE BIRTH
OF THE FIRST
DIGITAL NATION
Give me 15 mins to discuss

8. In the not too distant future, we’ll bare witness to the creation of
the first, socially-born, virtual nations.

9. Millions of like-minded people that would typically be divided by
language, geography or social standing, are starting something new.

10. An inclusive digital space with its own language, culture, history,
currency, ideological point of view and above all, power in the world.

11. I realise this sounds more like a science fiction fantasy, but I will set
out how how the building blocks needed are already available:

12. A world torn-apart by
out-of-date thinking and
established principles.

13. The increasingly polar view
of the world - right and
wrong religion or sexuality.

14. The emergence of an inclusive
digital currency that doesn’t rely
on the traditional world markets.

15. A new generation of
switched-on, woke,
digital-first thinkers.

16. And the tools to unite them.

17. ?The really interesting thing,
is this is happening right
under our very noses.
In fact, there is a thriving virtual
nation no one wants to talk about.

18. A large group of like-minded
people that have created a
non-sovereign nation that lives
purely online, on social.
A nation that lives all across the
world, transcending language
and geography.
A nation connected by hatred.
A feared nation. A terrorist nation.

19. ISIS

20. I want to talk to you about how
ISIS became the first virtual nation.
How they use social best practice
to galvanize people around a cause.
How they built vocal global communities
through messaging apps and dark social.
And how they continue to adopt new
technologies and platforms in order to grow.

21. But I also want to discuss what we
can learn from this nation of hatred.
How these same principals can be
used for good.

22. How social can unite refugee family’s
removed from their homes, protecting
their culture and history.

23. How an LGBTQ community can
flourish in parts of the world that
still oppress them.

24. How we can build new, optimistic
nations around worthy, worldly causes.

25. And how we can use these principles
to reset, protect and grow as a society.

26. THE BIRTH
OF THE FIRST
DIGITAL NATION
This is

27. Tom Bellamy
Creative Director
Ogilvy Social & Content