One important distinction is that the strength of LLMs isn't just in storing or retrieving knowledge like Wikipedia, it’s in comprehension.

LLMs will return faulty or imprecise information at times, but what they can do is understand vague or poorly formed questions and help guide a user toward an answer. They can explain complex ideas in simpler terms, adapt responses based on the user's level of understanding, and connect dots across disciplines.

In a "rebooting society" scenario, that kind of interactive comprehension could be more valuable. You wouldn’t just have a frozen snapshot of knowledge, you’d have a tool that can help people use it, even if they’re starting with limited background.