As generative AI continues to reshape the digital landscape, one technology journalist has taken an unusual step to safeguard his access to reliable information: he purchased a complete set of print encyclopedias. Benj Edwards, an AI reporter for Ars Technica, recently detailed his decision in an essay, explaining that he sees the physical books as a defense against what he calls the “information apocalypse.”
Edwards’s purchase comes at a time when the integrity of online information is under increasing strain. Chatbots have been caught spreading falsehoods, a presidential candidate used unmarked synthetic content in a campaign ad, and tech companies are racing to integrate AI tools into their products, often with little oversight. The result, experts say, is a digital ecosystem where truth is harder to verify and misinformation can spread faster than ever.
The reporter chose the World Book Encyclopedia, which Ars Technica notes is “the only general reference encyclopedia still published today.” While Edwards acknowledges that buying physical encyclopedias in the digital age might seem impractical—they are costly, quickly outdated, and the same information is freely available online—he finds comfort in the permanence and stability of printed knowledge.
“I’m still optimistic that people who are cognizant of these issues can get through the coming decade with factual electronic knowledge at hand,” Edwards wrote. “But just in case I’m wrong, a little voice in the back of my head reasoned that it would be nice to have a good summary of human knowledge in print, vetted by professionals and fixed in a form where it can’t be tampered with after the fact—whether by humans, AI, or mere link rot.”
Why Physical Books Offer a Sense of Security
Edwards’s reasoning reflects a growing anxiety about the fragility of digital information. Unlike online content, which can be altered, deleted, or manipulated by algorithms, a printed encyclopedia represents a snapshot of knowledge that remains unchanged. This static nature provides a psychological anchor for those worried about the reliability of what they read online.
The move also underscores a broader debate about how society should respond to the rise of AI-generated content. While some advocate for stricter regulations and better digital literacy, others, like Edwards, are taking personal measures to ensure they have access to trustworthy information.
The Uncertain Future of Online Information
Whether the internet will become so polluted with synthetic content that it becomes unusable remains an open question. Some predict that users will retreat to trusted news sites, while others fear that the sheer volume of AI-generated material will overwhelm any efforts to separate fact from fiction. Edwards’s decision to invest in a physical reference set is a practical acknowledgment of that uncertainty.
In the meantime, his encyclopedias serve as a reminder that, even in an era of rapid technological change, there is value in holding onto something tangible and trustworthy. As he puts it, “it might be nice to have something real to hold onto.”
Amid growing concerns over AI-generated misinformation, an Ars Technica reporter purchased a full set of World Book Encyclopedia as a hedge against the erosion of reliable digital information. The move highlights a broader unease about the trustworthiness of online content in the age of generative AI.
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