Are you clueless about all those new terms (like “e/acc”, AGI etc.) popping up here and there? Or maybe you haven’t even heard of any of these. Here’s a little glossary to update your knowledge.
I’ve put together this info with the help of Grok 3 / DeepSearch. The glossary is based on terms frequently mentioned within the AI community.
Detailed Survey Note on AI Community Terms
This section provides a comprehensive analysis of the key terms used by insiders in the e/acc and tpot communities on X, aimed at informing individuals outside the AI space (“normies”). The following details the process of identifying these terms, their definitions, and their relevance, ensuring a thorough understanding for lay readers.
Glossary of Terms with Definitions
Below is a detailed table of the identified terms, their definitions, and their relevance to the e/acc and tpot communities:
| Term | Definition | Relevance to Community |
| Accelerationism (acc) | Belief in speeding up technological progress, especially AI, for a better future. | Core to e/acc, seen in posts advocating rapid AI growth. |
| Decelerationism (decels) | Belief in slowing AI progress to manage risks and ensure safety. | Opposed by e/acc, often labeled negatively in discussions. |
| Doomers | Pessimists fearing AI could cause catastrophic societal harm. | Frequently mentioned in e/acc posts as counterpoints. |
| AI Risk | Potential negative impacts of AI, from bias to existential threats. | Central to e/acc debates on AI’s societal impact. |
| Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) | AI capable of any human intellectual task, a key goal in AI development. | Discussed in both communities, especially in future predictions. |
| Singularity | Point where AI surpasses human intelligence, leading to rapid changes. | A focal point in e/acc, linked to utopian or dystopian scenarios. |
| Effective Altruism (EA) | Using evidence to maximize good, often focusing on AI safety. | Related to e/acc, contrasted in discussions with accelerationism. |
| Techno-optimism | Belief that technology will improve human life and society. | Common in both e/acc and tpot, emphasizing AI’s benefits. |
| Kardashev Scale | Measure of civilization’s advancement by energy use, with AI aiding higher levels. | Unique to e/acc, seen in posts like @BasedBeffJezos ‘s on civilization. |
| Post-rationalism | Blending rationalism with intuitive or mystical ideas, often in tpot discussions. | Central to tpot, reflecting broader intellectual interests. |
| Grey Tribe | Tech-savvy, health-focused group interested in new-age ideas, linked to tpot. | Describes tpot community members, seen in web articles. |
| Biohacking | Optimizing biology through diet, supplements, etc., for peak performance. | Popular in tpot, linked to personal optimization discussions. |
| Nootropics | Substances believed to enhance cognitive function, like memory or focus. | Frequently mentioned in tpot posts on productivity. |
| Productivity Hacks | Techniques to increase efficiency, like time management or apps. | Common in tpot, reflecting interest in personal optimization. |
| Rationality | Using logic and evidence for decision-making, a tpot and e/acc focus. | Foundational to both communities, seen in discussions on AI. |
| LessWrong | Community and website for rationalist thought and AI safety, linked to tpot. | Referenced in tpot discussions, a hub for rationalist ideas. |
| Slate Star Code | Blog by Scott Alexander on science and philosophy from a rationalist view. | Popular in tpot, mentioned in web articles on community interests. |
Surprising Connections and Insights
One interesting finding is the connection between AI discussions and broader concepts like the Kardashev Scale, which measures civilization’s energy use and is tied to e/acc’s vision of AI-driven advancement. Similarly, Post-rationalism in tpot bridges AI with philosophy and spirituality, showing how these communities extend beyond pure technology into cultural and existential realms.
Swetlana AI 