[aaachilless]

The author says we shouldn't keep books, we should assimilate books into our model of the world, and then dispense with the book. To an approximation, I agree. I also agree with the idea that sometimes collecting books and bookmarks can lead to a false sense of satiety with our intellectual progress.

I disagree with his point that notes actually do represent assimilated information in a way that the books themselves don't. Notes might guarantee a certain level of assimilation, but they don't qualify as "knowledge" in the way the author maintains. There's other good reasons to keep notes, but not because they're more a part of your knowledge base than the book itself.

[ctietze]

I do struggle with the information/knowledge distinction as I never researched that field in detail. Would love to hear about some helpful alternative!

I can imagine a primary source that’s important in your life becomes part of your knowledge, too, because you ... well, got to know it so well. But that really isn’t the point, since mere collecting is the opposite of familiarizing yourself with the material.

[aaachilless]

My point isn't really about a distinction between information and knowledge. While high quality notes might witness the existence, or creation, of knowledge, that knowledge is not contingent on the notes' continued existence. Put another way: If the note-taking process results in the creation of knowledge inside my head, why should I keep the physical notes any more than I should keep the book?

Edit: I should say I thought your article was interesting and useful in general, and I don't think my disagreement takes away from the general message that owning things is pointless, what matters is engaging with the world.