Anthropic's "Project Panama" should Disturb Everyone

Some of these are the last known physical copies in the world. Now, they're gone forever, for the sake of digitization.

Wanting to digitize them is understandable, and I have no idea if Anthropic is doing anything with malintent. But DESTROYING rare books on purpose is both wrong and dangerous. And based on internal memos, Anthropic knew that's how people would react if this ever got out.

A digital file can be edited, updated, or quietly rewritten overnight. Anthropic could be completely accurate with their reproductions, but that doesn't stop someone else down the line. Without the original physical copy, there is nothing left to check the file against. Every dictator in history who has tried to control the will of the people has known that. This just makes it way easier than gathering up all the books and burning them.

Buy physical books, on acid free paper if you can so they'll last longer. No one can quietly change a physical book overnight. It is a reliable witness.

Anthropic's "Project Panama" should DISTURB EVERYONE. Anthropic is secretly buying up rare books, slicing their spines, scanning them, and shredding the originals - and it's court sanctioned.

Some of these are the last known physical copies in the world. Now, they're gone… pic.twitter.com/Sm9MeGj5M3

— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck)July 31, 2026