> However, for recall, I find there’s something about the physicality of a paper notebook that gives the facts a place to live.

I think that's correct. On 'Moonwalking with Einstein', the author mentions that placing a memory somewhere will help. Like, listening to podcasts while you walk around, and stuff like that. Maybe because you use different physical notebooks, your brain remembers better

Like, I used to listen to podcasts while driving to my GFs town, or driving home. I remember way more what I listened while driving, than while in my bed. In fact, for a few things, I remember where I was when X thing was being discussed.