[batmanturkey]

I didn’t get any sense that the OP was a newbie trying to enter a new field with no prior study.

The question was about how to meet people who love to learn.

You suggested that they contact authors of papers in some subject that interests them.

Both your comment and your suggestion precisely place the OP in a position where they are exactly what you describe: a newbie begging for crumbs from a big person.

I rather did get the sense that the OP wants to meet interested and interesting people, people with a passion for learning. I did presume for peer level friendship and mutual joy, rather than the up-dog/down-dog game you suggest.