Self-Learning Questions

[Vynce]

@Leo Gura

What is your typical approach to self-learning any new field of anything, in the practical sense. 
 

For example, if it comes to coding, web dev, game dev, video editing of that sorts. 
How do you make sure you get the most out of your effort, without a coach? 
 

Of course there are plenty of online resources, but it’s hard for a newbie to know how „efficient“ they really are. 

I noticed that there are quite the differences between how some YouTuber would teach a topic versus a prof. or established teacher. 
 

Not saying either one is better. And that’s the question.

Do you spend money on teachers? Or do you self learn all the way?

[LastThursday]

I think I would take a more goal oriented approach. If a wanted to produce and edit a video, I would have in mind what I wanted to do. I would then go ahead and learn the necessary techniques to allow me to actualise what's in my head as I go. 

At first it will be inefficient to learn this way, because you're having to take in a lot of new information at the same time as trying to use it. But, in the long run you'll be a lot quicker than just being taught information upfront and then trying to put all that information to use.

The great benefit of having a teacher is that they can comprehensively cover a subject. Often when teaching yourself, you won't be aware of big gaps in your knowledge, and you may get stuck in inefficient habits. They may also know tips and tricks to make you more efficient, but you can pick these up yourself over time.

 

[Leo Gura]

@Vynce The issue is so broad that I don't think there's a single approach. It depends on many factors like the topic being learned and your personal learning style and strengths.

If you are learning practical stuff like coding, software, etc. it's all about practice, not reading or watching. In this case the best way to learn is to design for yourself a small project and then just try to actualize it. And along the way as you encounter obstacles and lack of knowledge, you search specifically for resources on how to overcome that obstacle. You do this until your little project is complete. Then start a larger, more complex project and repeat the whole process. This is how to learn something like game development or editing. The key is to keep your projects very small and doable.

Of course if you can find a good video course on a topic, that's a great way to get started.

I don't spend money on teachers these days because I'm not learning much practical stuff now. I'm mostly just developing my own ideas and reading books to feed my mind.

But if you can find a good teacher, yeah, that is a good investment if you are serious about the topic. A key here is to get very clear with yourself about which topics are you truly serious about because you can waste a lot of resources and effort dabbling in stuff. Dabbling is okay when you are young, but eventually you want to get very clear about what you're trying to master and why it's important to you. For example, game development is such a serious and difficult field that you need to be very clear with yourself that you want to master it. You can't just dabble in it because it's too hard. You need to have a clear sense of purpose.

Edited May 28 by Leo Gura

[The Caretaker]

@Leo Gura On that note, tho, why do so many people have trouble finding what they want to master? At least for me, it's almost comically easy to choose a field I want to develop, or at least to try out something new until I have a better grasp of how well it fits my personality.

[Vynce]

3 minutes ago, The Caretaker said:

@Leo Gura On that note, tho, why do so many people have trouble finding what they want to master? At least for me, it's almost comically easy to choose a field I want to develop, or at least to try out something new until I have a better grasp of how well it fits my personality.

Seems to be super depended on neurology coding genes. Motivation, excitement, interest ect. can be turned off and on by the right brain-chemistry.

[Leo Gura]

@The Caretaker Most people have no idea what they want in life. They just bumble along like animals and follow the path of least resistance, doing only things that reality or society forces them into.

Most people have a poor understanding of themselves. They don't reflect enough to know what they value, what makes them happy, or what suits them and what doesn't. It takes a lot of experience to know yourself that well. Lots of experimentation is required. I dabbled in a lot of stuff before I found my core niches.

Also, most people are so constrained by the need for basic survival that they don't have the luxury to even think about their values or passions. They just work on whatever work is available today. Cultivating values and passions requires years of investment and development in yourself. Most people don't have that kind of freedom. They need food and money right now.

Edited May 28 by Leo Gura

[The Caretaker]

33 minutes ago, Vynce said:

Seems to be super depended on neurology coding genes. Motivation, excitement, interest ect. can be turned off and on by the right brain-chemistry.

Maybe. The potential is something that we can't measure with that much accuracy.

 

@Leo Gura You know, I wanted to make an argument about money and reflection not being a valid obstacle, but if not for the huge amount of suffering + the privilege of not worrying about food or shelter, I would have been exactly the same. No doubt about it.

Now I am curious how many started this work out of passion/good education vs just because of pain.

[Vynce]

@The Caretaker By the way, are you actually the person behind "The Caretaker" and his notorious music?

[Leo Gura]

@The Caretaker There is a problem at both extremes.

Extreme poverty is a serious limiting factor. But so is extreme comfort, luxury, and complacency in 1st world democracies.

Many people in the West are just too addicted to social media and porn to build a proper life. Building a proper life is hard work. Why do it when you can just sit around playing video games while your parents pay for everything?

Edited May 28 by Leo Gura

[Basman]

In terms of self-learning art, in my experience you mostly need to just practice with the occasional theory to help you create particular distinctions that make your art and your understanding of what you are drawing better. And you practice by mostly drawing the things that you are interested in, as opposed to thing you think you should draw.

You also need a large collection of references and inspiration to draw from.

[The Caretaker]

@Vynce No. Just liked the vibe of his album when I made the profile.