Selfacceleration

Selfacceleration refers to a phenomenon where a system or process increases its own speed or rate of advancement without external input. This can manifest in various contexts, from technology and economics to biological evolution. The core idea is a positive feedback loop, where an initial increase in speed or output leads to conditions that further facilitate that increase.

In technological development, selfacceleration is often observed in the context of Moore's Law, where the increasing power of computing leads to faster development of new technologies, which in turn accelerate further innovation. This creates a compounding effect on progress. Economically, selfaccelerating growth can occur through network effects or increasing returns to scale, where a larger market or production volume leads to greater efficiency and profitability, further driving growth.

Biological evolution can also exhibit selfaccelerating trends, such as the coevolution of predator and prey, where each species' adaptations drive the other to develop more sophisticated defenses or offenses. This creates an ongoing cycle of escalating complexity. However, selfacceleration is not always beneficial. In some systems, it can lead to instability, overheating, or runaway effects that are difficult to control. Understanding the mechanisms and potential consequences of selfacceleration is crucial for managing and guiding complex systems.