Digital decay: The Internet Isn’t Forever
Every few days, emails flood inboxes, asking about a vanished article, an unfindable blog, or a lost link. For researchers, educators, and readers alike, these inquiries often represent a frustrating search for information that no longer exists. These aren’t isolated incidents but symptoms of a larger phenomenon: the internet is eroding, with content disappearing at alarming rates. A recent Pew Research Center study on digital decay highlights the issue: nearly 38% of webpages accessible in 2013 are no longer accessible today. Websites vanish, URLs break, and entire digital ecosystems crumble, taking their knowledge and culture with them. This creates a … Read more