An artifact is an object that holds or signifies an thought.
A e-book on paper is an artifact: it’s the thing plus the phrases. Now that you would be able to get the phrases in lots of different methods, the worth of the e-book is modified.
A marriage ring is an artifact. If misplaced, it has sentimental worth far higher than what you possibly can purchase an analogous alternative for.
Typically, the worth of an thought fades away, which is why many elderly books are nugatory. Storage gross sales are stuffed with beforehand precious gadgets that maintain concepts that individuals aren’t drawn to.
And typically, the worth of the thing fades away, however the thought stays necessary. That’s what occurs once you improve your laptop computer.
When the world shifts, the artifacts round us change in worth.