• asteriskeverything@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    This is why encyclopedia salesmen was even a thing.

    If you didn’t have that, go to a library.

    Eventually there was encyclopedia britannica which was basically one of the coolest things you could have for free on your computer in that era.

    • debil@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      Funnily even the usage was pretty similar to doom-browsing Wikipedia:

      • pick a volume
      • open random page
      • read about medieval remedies for mental illnesses
      • open another random page
      • read about some rare tropical bird
      • repeat and rinse
      • maybe brag about your tidbit knowledge to your friends later (if you had any)