Guides on hunting "witches" by the way, are guides on hunting women and non-conformists.
"But reading! And journalism! And information!"
Yes, it does have many benefits for spreading ideas. If you own the means of production.
Mass production machines ALWAYS benefit the people already in control of the culture. Did the average person have a printing press? No, they didn't.
Though, I absolutely defend any mechanical machine over esoteric technology.