yeah isn't this the same offline viewing? why do you need a new algorithm for that? we've known about this forever. obviously, if you download the database and access it, this is more secure than being online , but way slower. Regarding the library example, this too has easy solutions: checkout many books at once, have a stranger check out the book, etc.

This article seems to do a poor job explaining what exactly this solves, only that it's revolutionary. The metaphors are not helpful.