there's probably an importance of learning how to use traditional methods before using the technology that is revolutionizing processes. especially, when the technology is not democratically controlled.

certainly, professional researchers start with electronic, indexed archives because that's fast and easy. but any sort of delve into records shows how patchwork the availability of historical and even recent information can be in indexed or even digital records. and some of that migration is deeply political.

the authors i've known who have dropped some severe knowledge bombs using critical analysis have had to go to physical archives and look through actual paper media, sometimes in distant places, to find the treasure.

and that's just in the highly developed world.

another thing that's wild about digital archives is that, while they can be made available for distribution around the world.... just as easily, they can be deleted in seconds forever by a single person. for a long time before digital records, one had to shred and burn shitloads of documents to permanently destroy them.