Completely agree that the biggest benefit from most texts is absorbing new ways to think, and developing familiarity with subjects and ideas.

Most individual facts will evaporate, but it’s likely if I need them in the future I will rember where to look.

> I remember co-workers highlighting large chunks of text, sometimes 40%.

Only quibble, is nobody underlines things they plan on remembering.

It’s a tool for focusing the mind.

In rare, very rare occasions I have benefited as well from being able to review a book in record time since the points my brain works from are all underlined and page corners bent.

That might be one out of a thousand books.

Mostly, creating a physical act, to accompany the mental act, of identifying key points, is the point.

I don’t just underline, but mark things with stars, exclamation points, happy faces, etc. in the margins. Institutionalizes paying attention, lets my hands move so my body doesn’t think I am supposed to be taking a nap, and creates regular but very micro-pauses where I process the words I am decorating.