3 ms·
Before the internet: 1. Think or learn of something interesting; 2. Find time to travel to library; 3. Survey likely locations for source; 4. Either-- Find prom
by 8bitsrule 4y ago
Before the internet: 1. Think or learn of something interesting; 2. Find time to travel to library; 3. Survey likely locations for source; 4. Either-- Find promising source & page through it, copier, drive home; OR-- call NYPL OR-- nothing.
After the internet: 1. Type in decent search terms; 2. Firehose. Details: Articles, commentaries, books on other continents, maps, sat pictures... OR-- nothing. Time savings: 90%, OR-- end up with 10x as much, 50%.
Not to even mention endless insights into various people's stories and POVs.