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a Wild Idea:
Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City
👤 Recap: About Me
I'm a second-time founder in Web3 (currently building Incented.co), with a focus on regenerative incentive design. I’ve spent the last few years living off-grid, gradually shifting away from conventional startup ambition toward something slower, simpler, and more meaningful.
While I’m not religious or traditionally spiritual, I increasingly find value in many of the ideas shared by spiritual traditions — stillness, inner discipline, detachment, compassion — as counterpoints to the hyper-optimization culture of tech.
This shift has led me to consider what it might look like to contribute to a project that fuses systems thinking, tech, and inner development.
🌏 Why Bhutan? Why Now?
Bhutan is building something radical:
Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) — a 1,000 sq. mile eco-urban zone blending sustainability, philosophy, and innovation. It’s framed as a values-based alternative to Silicon Valley or Dubai. Think:
A high-value, low-volume hub
Aligned with Gross National Happiness, not GDP
Focused on green tech, wellness, digital assets, regenerative economy, and education
Bhutan is open to invited global contributors — especially those who:
Operate with a “service mindset”
Build systems aligned with nature and values
Avoid extractive, growth-at-all-costs approaches
⚙️ How My Work Could Fit In
Here are a few ideas I’m contemplating (very early-stage):1. 🧪 Pilot a regenerative incentive engine (Incented in Bhutan)
Operate with a “service mindset”
Build systems aligned with nature and values
Avoid extractive, growth-at-all-costs approaches
2. 🏛️ Contribute to decentralized governance infrastructure
Digital ID, on-chain trust, DAO-style governance for GMC zones
Web3 protocols adapted to “happiness metrics,” not just efficiency
3. 🧘 Co-create a mindful residency / “digital monastery”
Retreat-residency for values-aligned builders
Exploration of digital simplicity, philosophy, and non-consumer life
Hybrid of tech fellowship, ashram, and co-living for introspective founders
🛤️ Why I'm Exploring This (Personally)
As I get older, I feel less drawn to capital or notoriety, and more drawn to:
Inner peace and simplicity
Community rooted in integrity, not ambition
A deeper kind of contribution, even if slower or smaller
Bhutan's approach to building from wisdom outward, rather than from speed or scale, resonates. It feels like a container where I might grow more meaningfully — and offer something in return.
❓What I’m Hoping to Learn / Hear From You
I know this sounds a little “far out.” It might not be practical. Or it might be deeply worth pursuing.If you’re reading this, it’s because I trust your judgment — and your sense of what makes for a meaningful path.If you have 5–10 minutes, I’d love to hear:
Gut check — Does this feel aligned, delusional, naive, or visionary?
Blind spots — What might I be missing (personally or practically)?
Design help — Any ideas on how to frame a proposal or entry point?
Connections — Do you know anyone exploring similar themes, or with links to Bhutan/regen/governance?
Is this a dumb idea for Incented or the opportunity we've been looking for?
Any reflections — even if it’s “Sleep on it another 6 months.” I value honesty more than hype.