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What Is Your Biggest Self-Taught Subject or Skill?

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
I don't know. I see it as a citation sort of thing. It's still something you are learning from another person. Granted that does limit what self-taught can be by a lot, but citing proper sources and giving due credit is the fair and right thing to do.

idk, I disagree, but I see your point to. It's still self taught imo. Someone who learns from and reads a bunch of books is considered self taught. The only difference is the added digital medium but It's still not in a teacher - student format, where your getting to ask questions and receive direction.
 

Mock Turtle

Oh my, did I say that!
Premium Member
What do you consider to be the most extensive or specialized subject or skill that you have mostly or entirely learned on your own?

I started a similar thread a while back, but the question still greatly interests me. I'd like to read about others' experiences here.
I suppose I acquired some skills over my life but most came from observing and being with others - such as rock-climbing, caving, and mountaineering. My sailing probably started after a few lessons with a friend at work - given I was about to buy a sailing dinghy - and I read a lot too. The yachting developed from crewing for others and then later chartering yachts, together with some courses at college to cater for the other side of such things - the essential knowledge to keep one safe.

Overall I can't say that I have done anything all by myself. Long distance cycling perhaps, since this was one thing I did do on my own mostly. I suppose I did mostly teach myself to program computers - but not to any advanced level, since such was never required of me.
 
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VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
Thank you.

I really can relate to:
WHAT IS AUTONOMY???
When to others it never mattered!
When it comes to my poetry I don't always know how to respond to comments such as yours. My poems are typically dark being relatable means the people who can relate been through some stuff. Im sorry for whatever you've been through. May you have better times ahead.
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
Another self taught skill I learned is witchcraft. Everything to do with it I've learnt from books and practice. I've never had a formal teacher.

I'm considering teaching my self to sew so I can better care for my stuff anmials. Also so I can hem my jeans. Im short and skinny all my jeans are too long. Even the pants I have that are actually for teens are too long tho it's the only pants I have that ain't big around the waist. They are so long on me they completely cover my feet unless I roll up the pants legs.

I also want to teach myself forging for food and mushrooms. So i know what foods in my backyard I can or can't eat.
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
When it comes to my poetry I don't always know how to respond to comments such as yours. My poems are typically dark being relatable means the people who can relate been through some stuff. Im sorry for whatever you've been through. May you have better times ahead.
Thank you @RayofLight for your poem and your friendly reply

Indeed, those 2 lines captured exactly what happened to me, so my challenge in life to work on, and yours probably too. So, I'm also sorry to hear you had to go through this

My Master gave me two useful advices:
1) No one has the right to criticize you
2) Only accept from others what is good for you

This was very hard for me to overcome. Took ages. I was not even able to say "NO" to people.

And for sure I have better times ahead, thanks. This made me however stronger, I can see now, 40 years later, I used this weakness to learn and improve.

And I discover that how bigger the challenge to overcome, the stronger I can become through it. So, now I even see it as a blessing in disguise.

I was reduced to ZERO in my youth, but that means I can grow into INFINITY, right? May take me a few more days, but fortunately I was born as the eternal optimist

@RayofLight may you be Blessed too and become or be a "Ray of Light"

When I returned from my Master the first time, and people asked me "what is the most important lesson you learned, I always said" ... "I just need to be a light"

Maybe there is no coincidence in life, what do you think?
@stvdvRF
 
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VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
Thank you @RayofLight for your poem and your friendly reply

Indeed, those 2 lines captured exactly what happened to me, so my challenge in life to work on, and yours probably too. So, I'm also sorry to hear you had to go through this

My Master gave me two useful advices:
1) No one has the right to criticize you
2) Only accept from others what is good for you

This was very hard for me to overcome. Took ages. I was not even able to say "NO" to people.

And for sure I have better times ahead, thanks. This made me however stronger, I can see now, 40 years later, I used this weakness to learn and improve.

And I discover that how bigger the challenge to overcome, the stronger I can become through it. So, now I even see it as a blessing in disguise.

I was reduced to ZERO in my youth, but that means I can grow into INFINITY, right? May take me a few more days, but fortunately I was born as the eternal optimist

@RayofLight may you be Blessed too and become or be a "Ray of Light"

When I returned from my Master the first time, and people asked me "what is the most important lesson you learned, I always said" ... "I just need to be a light"

Maybe there is no coincidence in life, what do you think?
I think...another self taught skill:
Learning to accept kind words.

I'm still working on learning that.
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
What do you consider to be the most extensive or specialized subject or skill that you have mostly or entirely learned on your own?

I started a similar thread a while back, but the question still greatly interests me. I'd like to read about others' experiences here.


Either.

3D computer graphics before 3D computer graphics existed. We (hubby and me) helped write some of the courses, books and software that have become the starting point for modern 3D

Or.

Being mother. There are various points/moments that no amout of foreknowledge can prepare you for being a mom
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
I think...another self taught skill:
Learning to accept kind words.

I'm still working on learning that.
Yes, and of course, just like you, I had to learn that one too;)

I even already thought of it when reading your previous reply "I don't know always how to respond to..."

Well you did well, learning this skill too

Interesting, isn't it, how much alike we are, reacting and becoming so similar by similar upbringing. Should make psychology a very easy job

Just a thought I now had, a bit of a deep one. If we react so similar, then maybe at our core we are identical. Wow.
@stvdvRF
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
My biggest self taught subject:

Oops
I am about to reveal but then I realize

Well, I did read about it, and listened to other people, so not entirely "Self-Taught" probably. I did not pay any (college) money for it though

Does that count as "Self Taught"?
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
Mine would be learning how to search. I've found over and over that I can find things that other's can't by using various search terms and settings and occasionally search engines. That started with libraries and books and took off when search engines were invented.

It even helped me get a job once. I was an interview and was asked what I knew about something. I said I only knew the basic meaning of the acronym but described how I'd be able to learn more. I got that job and that was one reason.
I'd like your assistance please if you willing to give it. I've been trying to find a stuffie similar to a staff member's at the group home. Problem is I don't know what terms to use to try and search for it online. It's not the fact it's a sloth or the way it looks I like. It's the size and shape I like. It's perfect to hold and hug and carrying around the house. Since I cannot convince the staff member to give me said stuffie imma have to look for one similar elsewhere. At least in the meantime she allows me to babysit him. What terms should I use to try and find one like it in terms of size and shape? It looks like this:
upload_2022-7-13_11-23-7.png

upload_2022-7-13_11-25-6.png

upload_2022-7-13_11-26-30.png
 
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