Draft:Defensive Accelerationism
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Comment: We need more reliable, third-party sources about this topic. QuicoleJR (talk) 17:19, 5 January 2025 (UTC)
Defensive accelerationism, often abbreviated as d/acc, is a 21st-century philosophical movement that advocates for differential technological development while accelerating specific technological advancements to mitigate existential risks and promote human flourishing. First articulated by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin in his essay My Techno-Optimism (2023), d/acc offers a middle path between unregulated innovation and cautious regulatory approaches. The framework prioritises fostering technologies that decentralise power, enhance defence against existential threats, and support equitable progress..[1]
Etymology
[edit]The term "Defensive Accelerationism" underscores its emphasis on accelerating technologies that bolster resilience and societal defence. The abbreviation "d/acc" is derived from its association with Effective altruism (EA), Effective Accelerationism (e/acc), and differential technological development. According to Vitalik Buterin, who introducing the term, D/acc can references either defence, decentralization, democracy, and differential, highlighting shared pro-technology optimism while signalling a deliberate focus on safety and decentralisation.[2]
Central Beliefs and Applications
[edit]Defensive Accelerationism advocates for intentional technological progress to maximise benefits while mitigating risks. Core principles include:
- Defence and Resilience: Supporting technologies that enhance biosecurity, cyber defences, and robust supply chains.
- Decentralisation: Fostering decentralised systems to minimise dependency on centralised power structures.
- Democracy and Inclusivity: Ensuring equitable access to advancements and embedding democratic oversight in innovation.
- Differential Technological Development: Advancing protective technologies while delaying or discouraging harmful innovations, aligning with principles of Effective Altruism.
Potential applications are found in a range of fields that aim to mitigate risks while enhancing societal resilience. One prominent area is pandemic prevention, where d/acc principles would advocate for innovation in early detection systems, decentralised vaccine production pipelines, and advanced air filtration technologies. These advancements aim to prevent global health crises by enabling faster, more decentralised responses to emerging pathogens, reducing reliance on centralised systems that can fail under pressure. In the realm of artificial intelligence, d/acc promotes the development of technologies that prioritise safety and human alignment. This includes tools to manage and monitor capable AI agents, ensuring that they operate within ethical and human-centred parameters.[3]
According to its adherents, the same logic could apply to the information ecosystem, where it advocates using new technology to strengthen epistemic norms, such as advocating for "Community Notes for everything"[4]
Vitalik Buterin has also mentioned Solarpunk and Lunarpunk as aesthetic influences on his thinking.[1]
History
[edit]The concept builds extensively on the idea of differential technological development, introduced by philosopher Nick Bostrom in the early 2000s. Vitalik Buterin formalised d/acc as a distinct framework in November 2023, addressing the ethical and practical challenges of rapid technological change, particularly in artificial intelligence. The framework integrates values of decentralization and democracy, responding to concerns about governance and technological misuse. Organisations like Entrepreneur First have adopted d/acc principles in initiatives targeting societal threats, including pandemics and cyberattacks.[3]
See also
[edit]- Technological utopianism
- Transhumanism
- Differential technological development
- Effective Accelerationism
- Technology governance
References
[edit]- ^ a b "My techno-optimism". vitalik.eth.limo. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ Nelson, Decrypt / Jason (2023-11-28). "Ethereum Creator Vitalik Buterin: If AI Turns on Us 'Even Mars May Not Be Safe'". Decrypt. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ a b "Introducing def/acc at EF". Entrepreneur First. 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ "What do I think about Community Notes?". vitalik.eth.limo. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
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