Ctrl-x Ctrl-x (exchange-point-and-mark)

[Harry Putnam]

I see there are no customizing option matching
`exchange-point-and-mark' (Ctrl-x Ctrl-x)

I wondered if I can do anyghing about the current behavior where when
the exchange is made, the area in between is selected and highlighted.

I don't want to turn off the newish behavior of how regions are
selected, where it takes two strikes of spc bar to turn it off.  I
know there is a way to turn that off, but wondered if I might be able
to ditch that un-wanted behavior some other way.