[koonsolo]

It's true that experience is harder to get than knowledge from reading. But I still think reading offers a huge amount of benefit that you cannot get from experience.

One thing is that it opens up a world that is broader to your own. Another thing is that it can provide clear mental models that you probably won't figure out yourself, and that you can observe only after you know the theory.

Let me give you a clear example.

Early in my career I had to manage a junior. At the time I was reading The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People. I applied the "stewardship delegation" from that book to the letter. It worked perfect. In my 19 year career, I apply it all the time, with great success (it also works on your kids :D).

But nobody I know knows about it. I could have never learned one of the most important things, from experience alone.

Even when you look at people like Bill Gates for example, they also still seem to get great value out of reading.

Thanks for the conversation, and sorry for my snarky remark, I admit I was wrong judging you :)