The world of academia. Two things:

1. You have likely been in the following situation: the prof poses a question to the class. Some discussion ensues. A student raises their hand as an indication they have something worthwhile to add, and is called on. Their opening is “Oh, I was just gonna say” followed by their generally uninteresting point. I’m both humored and perturbed by their opening. No, you were not “just going to say” you actually went ahead and said it! It’s as if they’re attempting to step a little out of the spotlight which has beamed onto them by virtue of being called on by the prof. Their opening may fall under the same category as the opener “I think,” if the primary motivation for such an opening is to avoid the blame that has the potential to be dealt to the speaker as a consequence of their delivering a dull contribution to discussion.

2. Some of the scholarly books I have in my university-assigned collection are used, and sport highlighted text. In fact, a few of the previous owners seem to have been very proud of the fact that they were capable of highlighting. And it does not seem to have occurred to them that the very purpose of highlighting is undermined when over 50% of the text is marked in their favorite neon color. it would be more practical to highlight the few lines of unimportant text. But it is said that coloring is a relaxing activity. Maybe prolific highlighting is a means of coping with stress. Friends of prolific highlighters should take note. The holiday season is nearing; a coloring book may be the right gift. Or sex.