Understanding Accelerationism: A Political and Philosophical Inquiry

Accelerationism, a contemporary political and philosophical movement, grapples with the challenge of defining a new subject in contrast to capitalist development. Left accelerationism envisions a collective, communist subject shaped by diverse proletarian identities, advocating for technological advances as a means to transcend capitalism's limitations. In contrast, right accelerationism, particularly as articulated by Nick Land, dismisses the human subject altogether in favor of non-human, machinic processes that align with capitalist dynamics. The text explores various thinkers, such as Reza Negarestani and Ray Brassier, who critique the notion of the human while also affirming a Promethean impulse towards progress and rationality. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding subjectivity's affective dimensions and the historical context from which accelerationism emerges, ultimately calling for a synthesis of technological and affective approaches to navigate capitalism's complexities.