I think the article, even though the author protests it's not that, looks at knowledge and experience as merely an accumulation of things.

With this mindset, seeing a photo on the internet and seeing the real thing with your eyes, after a walk to the location, is "the same". You've seen the thing, you can mark it in your checklist. Google, Wikipedia, and the real physical experience are all the same, you've "gained" the same. Reading about a sports match in Wikipedia is the same as having experienced it live, petting a dog is the same as looking at a photo of a dog, etc.

The author protests this is not what they mean, but ultimately, it seems that's exactly what they mean.

I couldn't disagree more with this mindset.