The Existential Accelerationism Manifesto
Accelerate or Perish
The Dawn of x/acc
In a world of rapidly advancing technology and ever-evolving cultural pessimism, humanity faces an unprecedented array of existential risks.
From the possibility of nuclear annihilation to the creeping shadow of climate catastrophes, from the relentless march of death that hopes to plague us all, to the insidious spread of mimetic misinformation, the forces arrayed against us have never been more formidable.
Our planet teeters on the brink of catastrophe, but the solutions peddled by mainstream media, intelligently packaged by pessimists, are insidious and morally wrong. Individual minds are being programmed by pessimists writing op-eds, leading people to take shelter in laziness and bask in hopeless pessimism.
The urgency to act has never been greater.
In the face of these seemingly insurmountable odds, we must rise to the challenge. We must meet the darkness with a beacon of hope, a vision of a better tomorrow that can guide us through the treacherous waters of uncertainty, doomerism and despair.
It is in this critical moment that we need a new philosophy, a new movement, a new community that aligns us all to team up and rise against these threats.
Enter, Existential Accelerationism, or x/acc for short.
As the clock ticks ever closer to midnight, we must make a choice: do we succumb to the doom and gloom that pervades our collective consciousness, or do we rally together and embrace the transformative power of progress?
The answer is clear.
We must choose to Accelerate or Perish.
Accelerate or Perish
The mantra of x/acc is not a mere slogan, but a call to arms, an exhortation to harness the power of innovation and progress to overcome the existential risks that threaten our very existence. It is an invitation to cast off the shackles of fear and pessimism, and to embrace a future in which we have the power to shape our own destiny.
But time is a luxury we can no longer afford. As the clock ticks relentlessly towards an uncertain future, we must rise against the tide of doomsday scenarios and pessimistic narratives that threaten to engulf us.
The mantra of x/acc is simple: Accelerate or Perish.
We must harness the power of progress to overcome the existential threats that loom large on the horizon such as :
centralization of AI, climate change, death, nuclear war, and memetic misinformation.
This list is non-exhaustive, as there are unknown existential risks we may not be aware about right now. Some more examples may include risks such as an asteroid impact, solar flares or a super volcano eruption.
The definition of "existential" is loosened in x/acc to also include tough problems such as disease-ridden old age or risk of a genetically engineered pandemic capable of wiping out 40% of the population, which aren't technically existential risks (like nuclear war), but a cause for human suffering big enough that they need to be fixed or avoided.
We worry less about semantics in x/acc, less debates on what's an existential risk, and what's not, and more about solving hard problems, helping others solve hard problems and focusing on the hardest problems that threaten our species.
Technological progress can solve these problems. The human potential is infinite, and we can collectively combine and expand our knowledge, work hard together, build great things & accelerate towards that solving the hardest problems we face.
It is only through existential acceleration that we can guarantee the survival of our species and create a better future for all.
We must all ACCELERATE.
But what does it mean to accelerate?
At its core, existential acceleration is the belief that we can and must accelerate technological and cultural change to mitigate and ultimately overcome the existential risks that we face.
It is a commitment to the relentless pursuit of knowledge, the indomitable spirit of innovation, and the unyielding conviction that we can build a better world for ourselves and for generations to come.
Acceleration is about more than just speed.
It is about direction and purpose, a compass that guides our collective efforts towards a brighter future. It is about recognizing the urgency of the challenges we face and responding with the full force of our intellect, creativity, and determination.
Imagination Begets Creation
"We're all going to die and there's nothing you can do about it," is now the prevalent leading theme among popular "rationalists".
The mainstream media thrives on amplifying this morbid fascination with humanity's impending doom, generating clicks and fear in equal measure. Thus, the doomers are getting invited to speak on talk shows & podcasts, to write sad op-eds on popular outlets, while programming the minds of innocents who accept their rubbish predictions as facts.
But x/acc offers an alternative world: a world where our collective imagination is harnessed for the greater good, where we envision a brighter tomorrow and set our sights on achieving it.
We reject the notion that the future is set in stone or that our destiny is preordained. Instead, we embrace the power of human creativity, ingenuity, and determination. We believe that by visualizing a more just, equitable, and sustainable future, we can begin the process of bringing it into existence.
Through the cultivation of a shared vision, we can inspire others to join our cause and work together towards a common goal, instead of believing that nothing can be done and we must all accept and prepare for our inevitable extinction.
That latter is a dangerous ideology, masquerading as truth.
Four Core Principles
x/acc relies on four core principles:
The pursuit of truth: We must remain vigilant in our quest for knowledge, questioning everything and seeking answers with unwavering curiosity. In a world filled with misinformation and biases, our commitment to the relentless quest for truth should always remain strong.
Technological progress: By embracing innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, we can tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
Expansion of knowledge: Through the sharing of ideas and the cultivation of wisdom, we can empower each other to create lasting change. Open access to information and fostering a culture of lifelong learning would enable us to empower individuals, bridge gaps, and drive collective growth. By encouraging the exchange of diverse perspectives and experiences, we can identify novel approaches, challenge conventional wisdom, and inspire innovative thinking among all x/acc members.
Improvement of Self: As the saying goes, "Charity begins at home", improving the world begins with improving ourselves. It is essential to recognize our flaws, work on them, and cultivate good habits that can contribute to a better life and, thus, to a better society. By improving ourselves, being more productive, more efficient, healthier and wiser- we can become better role models for those around us, inspire others to follow suit, and create a ripple effect that helps us accelerate others towards a positive direction.
By following these core principles, we can foster a more informed, innovative, and resilient society that is better equipped to navigate the uncertainties of the future and safeguard the long-term prospects of human civilization.
The x/acc Values
To foster a movement that can truly accelerate us towards a better future, we must adhere to five key values:
Kindness: Don't be an asshole. The world has enough of those already. Instead, strive to be compassionate, empathetic, and understanding. Recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, and treat others with the respect they deserve. Remember that we are all in this together, and that by lifting each other up, we can accelerate faster than we ever could alone.
Open Source: Free and open-source software (FOSS) is the lifeblood of progress. Share, collaborate, and build upon the work of others. Promote FOSS, and convince all to open-source. Variance, and the access to knowledge for all, will help us accelerate faster, and fight those accelerating towards insidious directions.
Pro Humanity: Above all, x/acc is for humans. This means valuing each person’s rights, dignity, and potential for growth & making sure humanity survives and thrives forever. We should all strive for a future where all people, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to thrive. We need to build and ensure that the technologies and systems we promote serve to enhance human life, not exploit or endanger it. Accelerate humans - because we’ve only just scratched the surface of what we’re individually and collectively capable of.
Decentralization: Embrace and promote technologies like Bitcoin, Web3, network states, etc, that distribute power and safeguard against the centralization of control. In a world of increasing complexity and interconnectedness, we must be wary of the dangers posed by the concentration of authority in the hands of a few. By promoting decentralized systems and institutions, we can ensure that power remains dispersed and that no single entity can wield undue influence over the many.
Execution: Actions speak louder than tweets. Focus on building rather than merely discussing. It is not enough to merely theorize or pontificate about the future; we must actively work towards bringing it into existence. This means setting ambitious goals, developing concrete strategies, and measuring our progress along the way. It also means acknowledging our failures, learning from our mistakes, and constantly iterating and improving upon our efforts.
Friendship: Forge strong bonds with fellow x/accelerationists. Together, we are stronger. As we embark on this journey, we must recognize the importance of building and maintaining relationships with those who share our vision and values. By cultivating a sense of camaraderie, trust, and mutual support, we can create a strong, resilient community that is capable of weathering the storms that lie ahead.
At the end of the day, it is the friendships we make that'll matter during the toughest times of our lives. Be unafraid about being personal, about meeting fellow x/accelerationists IRL, about talking about widely different topics together. If x/acc can create 5 strong friendships between people who wouldn't have otherwise met, that'll make x/acc more successful than 80% of the communities on the Internet.
From Online Community to Network State
Our journey begins as a digital collective, united by a common purpose and a shared vision for the future. But this is just the beginning. As we grow and evolve, x/acc aspires to become a fully-fledged network state, complete with its own governing structures and territory.
This network state will be characterized by its adherence to the principles and values of x/acc, acting as a beacon of hope and progress amidst the chaos of a rapidly changing world. With land distributed throughout the globe, the x/acc network state will be immune to centralised or nuclear attack, and soon be a country that's home to the best and brightest minds of our generation.
A new country, that starts off as a digital community first, then evolves into a distributed series of locations across the globe, with a population entirely dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, creativity, and innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible and working together to solve the most pressing challenges of our time.
But none of this is possible without you.
The choice is yours
As you stand at this crossroads, ask yourself:
Will you be an observer or an active participant in shaping the future? Will you passively write about how we're doomed, or will you rise and build a better future for all?
Accelerate or Perish?
The choice is yours. The time for action is now.
Choose to be a part of something greater than yourself. Choose to join the ranks of the x/acc movement and fight for a better world. Together, we can overcome the existential threats & cultural pessimism that loom large on the horizon and chart a course towards a more vibrant, prosperous, and equitable future for all.
If you're here reading this, x/acc needs you.
x/acc needs dreamers and doers, thinkers and builders, visionaries and pragmatists. We need people from all walks of life, from all corners of the globe, who share our passion for progress and our commitment to a brighter future.
Anyone, regardless of race, religion, age, etc. can join x/acc. Even pseudonyms can join. Anons with no reputation have to show some Proof-Of-Work to join, and I encourage x/acc communities to honour this rule, as it's fundamental in helping maintain strong bonds within the community.
What separates an anon from a pseudonym is their reputation, and reputation is the only filter in our cyberspace. Anons with Proof-of-Work have a higher probability of building a reputation , becoming a pseudonym, than an anon who doesn't. If you do allow anons in your x/acc community, please make sure Value #1 is held to it’s highest regard at all times. x/acc’s bedrock is the friendships we foster. Collaboration is how we all accelerate faster against the greatest threats facing us today.
You’ve now read the x/acc manifesto.
It is now time to make your choice.
Join x/acc and help us shatter the dystopian black mirror narratives peddled by the mainstream media.
Or, choose the side of doomers who believe we’re all going to die and nothing can be done about that.
The doomers & pessimists will continue to enjoy their time in the spotlight, but x/acc will help people in swallowing the white pill of optimism, reigniting their hope and motivating them to build so that the survival of our species is guaranteed and the light of human consciousness lives on forever.
It is time to show the world the truth, and build a better future together.
Embrace Existential Accelerationism, and together, we will accelerate towards a better tomorrow.
