I am with Greg, it doesn't matter what source, I use it all. Whenever I can pick up something, either from written/printed media or live, I am equally excited. When it comes to learning, I am indiscriminate and reckless, with blatant disregard to the nature of source. I am a sucker for good information, and don't discriminate as to its source: it can come from people of all races , bleached and recicled paper, foreign or domestic magazine, computer screen, or projection canvas. I am an equal opportunity employer, and equal opportunity learner.
I like to learn on my own terms, at my own pace, so seldom in my life took any formal lessons. But I am always around others who are better than myself, circling around them like a buzzard, ready to pick up any discarded morsel of knowledge.
I usually buy twice as many books and magazines than I actually read, sometimes I read them, other times I forget about them or lose them in the house and re-discover years later ("honey, look what a cool book I found, who bought this?"), and sometimes I am not sure that I've read them or not, so I read them again, just in case.
The reason for this, must be that I love variety, in everything I do...use an impossibly wide range of species in bonsai, eat every type of food available on this planet, see every imaginable place, and use every possible source. So, the method of learning fits my personality. On the oher hand, my father in law eats the same food, watches the same shows, and takes the same route every day.
I think this is the rub: the method of learning you choose should match your personal profile. Some people like their hand to be held, others hate it. Some like it structured and formal, others like it spontaneous and informal. Some like personal contact and can't be by themselves for one minute, others shy away from it and prefer solitude. I can see that in my kids. You have to find out for yourself the best way to learn.
