The big difference is that a book is structured to teach you bit by bit. One of the issues of learning a new subject is that you don’t know what you don’t know. Something structured like a book solves this.

That being said, a six year old book is ancient when talking about computer related stuff…

The starlord provides the only correct answer

You keep on existing (at least for now)

Came here to suggest the culture series. First thing that popped into my mind while reading the question.

Ursula K. Le Guin’s books in the Hainish Cycle might also fit the bill.

Well there’s this black guy who converted a ton of KKK members, which I think answers your question. See this NPR article…

Lasagna