Venture capital giant Marc Andreessen: Technology is the only source of growth

"We have been deceived."

This is the opening line of a recent article titled "The Manifesto of Technological Optimism" by venture capitalist Andreessen.

As the founder of Netscape Communications and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), as well as one of the developers of the widely used browser Mosaic, Marc Andreessen openly expresses his support for the power and potential of technology.

In the article, Andreessen firmly states, "We are told to feel anger, pain, and resentment towards technology... We are told to feel despair about the future," but all of these are "deceptions." He believes that our intelligence, our control over nature, and our ability to build a better world are our "inherent rights."

He believes that human civilization is built on technology, and technology will liberate human potential, soul, and spirit, opening up the space for human meaning. Whether it is the functioning of the economic market or the transition to green energy, technology can provide the native driving force and foundational resources for the progress of human society.

In the development process of the new era driven by technology, artificial intelligence will play a key role. Andreessen bluntly states, "Intelligence is the ultimate engine of progress, and intelligence makes everything better." Artificial intelligence is the best solution to solve general problems, and the innovative development it brings is limitless.

The anger towards technology and the concerns about the future are all lies.

The popularity of "Oblivion" once again triggers ethical reflections on technological progress, but Andreessen believes that this pessimism about the future is a lie: "We have the tools, systems, and ideas to advance a superior way of life and existence."

Andreessen states that there are only three sources of growth: population growth, utilization of natural resources, and technology. While the population dividend is disappearing and the utilization of natural resources is strictly limited, only technology is the "only eternal source of growth."

As a legendary figure in Silicon Valley, Andreessen envisions a future that is not controlled by technology, but an era of continuous growth, invention, and progress driven by technology. The market driven by technology provides a decentralized and complex system that can promote collective achievements and prosperity.

"We believe that the capital machine of the market and innovative technology is endless and constantly spiraling upwards. Comparative advantage increases specialization and trade.

Price drops release purchasing power and create demand. Price drops benefit everyone who purchases goods and services, in other words, everyone.

Human desires and needs are endless, and entrepreneurs constantly create new goods and services to satisfy these desires and needs, deploying an infinite number of people and machines in the process.

In fact, as of 2019, before the temporary interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the result of this spiral upward was the creation of the most numerous, highest-paying, and highest material standard of living job opportunities in the history of the Earth." "

Of course, Andreessen does not believe that advocating for technology reveals a utopian stance:

"We are not utopians.

We are followers of what Thomas Sowell calls the 'constrained vision.'

We believe that the constrained vision - in contrast to the unconstrained visions of utopia, communism, and expert knowledge - means accepting people as they are, testing ideas through experience, and freeing people to make their own choices.

We do not believe in utopia, nor do we believe in apocalypse.

We believe that change happens at the margins - but a lot of marginal changes can lead to significant results."

Therefore, Andreessen calls on people in the article to embrace technology and work together to create a better world.

"We believe that advancing technological progress is one of the most beneficial things we can do.

We believe in consciously and systematically transforming ourselves into people who can drive technological progress."

"Applying the declaration to different times and places: 'Beauty exists only in struggle. No masterpiece is without aggression. Technology must be a fierce attack on unknown forces, forcing them to yield to humanity.'"

Artificial intelligence is the key to the new era

Andreessen believes that with technological development, artificial intelligence will become the key to the new era, representing infinite possibilities.

"Artificial intelligence is our alchemy, our philosopher's stone - we are essentially making sand think.

We believe that artificial intelligence is best seen as a general problem solver. We still have many problems to solve."

At the same time, Andreessen warns of the consequences of underestimating artificial intelligence technology:

We believe that any deceleration of artificial intelligence will result in loss of life.

Deaths that could have been avoided with artificial intelligence will be considered as murder if the existence of artificial intelligence is prevented."

Looking to the future, Andreessen emphasizes the central role of humans in relation to technology and calls on people to join the ranks of technological optimism:

"We believe that we are the masters of technology now, in the past, and in the future, rather than being controlled by technology.

The victim mentality is a curse in all aspects of life, including our relationship with technology - it is unnecessary and counterproductive.

We are not victims, we are conquerors."

"We will explain to those who have been captured by these zombie ideas that their fears are unfounded and that the future is bright.

We believe that these captives are suffering from resentment - the resentment, pain, and anger brewed by witches, leading them to hold harmful values that are detrimental to themselves and those they care about.

We believe that we must help them find a way out of the self-imposed maze of suffering." We invite everyone to join our ranks of technological optimism.

"Water is warm."

In his article, Andreessen emphasizes the important value of technology to human society through 15 short chapters. In the face of waves of anti-technology sentiment, this article takes a clear stance against it, calling on all those who believe in the power of technology to make the world a better place to take action and fight against the "enemies" of technological pessimism.

However, let's not forget that a16z, which has invested in numerous AI startups, will also earn more dollars in the wave of technological development.