disclosed is a method and system for applying summaries to electronic content by generating an essence layer file which includes user generated annotations highlighting important parts of given electronic content . the essence layer file is applied on top of and is anchored to the electronic content rather than editing the saved file that the electronic content is stored as . essence layer files paired with electronic content are streamed to consumers through both direct and social network distribution systems . the consumers rate the value of the summaries thereby creating a crowd - sourced merit system .