The techno-optimist occupies a unique position between the accelerationists and the doomers. Marc Andreessen, a prominent billionaire venture capitalist, frequently expressed his views on Twitter, often with a tone of “I told you so,” following the sudden dismissal of AI’s figurehead, Sam Altman, which caused a stir in Silicon Valley just before Thanksgiving. This incident was simply referred to as “e/acc.”
Prior to the dominance of AI in the business landscape of 2023, Marc Andreessen, the founder of Andreessen Horowitz, a firm deeply rooted in the “accelerationist” ideology, made his stance clear in October. In his 5,200-word “techno-optimist manifesto,” published on his personal substack and Andreessen’s blog, he eloquently articulated his perspective in 15 sections, often poetically critiquing the skeptics of big tech. The central theme of his manifesto is a bold assertion that “We are being lied to,” challenging those who argue that technology leads to job displacement, lower wages, increased inequality, and societal degradation. Andreessen’s previous manifestos, such as “Why software is eating the world” in 2011 and “It’s time to build” in 2020, have consistently advocated for technological advancement.
The recent dismissal of Sam Altman from his role as the co-founder and leader of OpenAI, a pivotal company in the development of advanced artificial intelligence, has raised concerns. While the exact reasons for his departure remain unclear, reports suggest that apprehensions similar to those raised by the “doomers,” who perceive AI as a potential existential threat, may have played a role. This perspective contrasts with the “accelerationist” camp, which embraces AI as a transformative force, likening it to a system from Star Trek, as articulated by Altman himself in San Francisco recently. Notably, Elon Musk is a prominent figure aligned with the “doomers,” having distanced himself from OpenAI’s original altruistic mission since his departure in 2018.
Understanding the origins of OpenAI is crucial in grasping the evolution of Altman and his board’s viewpoints. Established in 2015 by Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, and Elon Musk in response to Google’s acquisition of DeepMind, OpenAI was founded as a non-profit organization to counter concerns about Google’s potential AI dominance. The core mission of OpenAI has always been the development of AI for the betterment of humanity, with a unique capped-income subsidiary structure. The inherent tension between the “accelerationists and doomers” within OpenAI’s framework has been evident since its inception.
e/acc!
Recent actions by Marc Andreessen underscore his position in the ongoing debate between accelerationists and doomers. His endorsement of “e/acc,” short for “effective accelerationism,” reflects a strategic utilization of capitalist and innovative forces to drive significant social change, even at the expense of existing societal norms. Andreessen’s reposting of a message from Matt Parlmer, CEO of General Fabrication, further emphasizes his stance, indicating a shift towards a more radical approach to societal transformation.
The sentiment echoed in response to Parlmer’s message, particularly from an entity known as “Beff Jezos- e/acc,” dedicated to effective accelerationism, highlights a strategic agenda to infiltrate and subvert existing paradigms. This sentiment was further echoed in responses to the unexpected failure of Silicon Valley Bank earlier this year, indicating a growing discontent within Silicon Valley towards traditional structures and ideologies.
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