Progress & pace · Movement
Defensive accelerationism
Catalogued:
What it means
d/acc is a self-described approach to accelerating technologies that strengthen defense and distribute power. Vitalik Buterin’s formulation links defensive, democratic and decentralized development. It is broader than AI and does not mean either unconditional acceleration or a blanket refusal to build.
The strongest case
The pace of innovation is not the only choice. Its direction matters. Tools that make communities more resilient may reduce harm without concentrating control in a single protector.
The difficult part
Whether a technology favors defense depends on context and deployment. Decentralization can complicate coordination, and useful defense can be repurposed. The difficult work is selecting and governing concrete projects, not choosing a reassuring prefix.
Sources & further reading
Sources support the factual context. The jokes are our responsibility.