[srean]

"If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea" -- Saint-Exupery

This is exactly what Numberphile does. Those who are hooked will find the resources on their own. They need a reason to look for them and Numberphile gives them one.

[thaumasiotes]

I agree with that, but inspiration is not education. If you watch everything Numberphile has produced, you'll come out of that with no new skills and trivial new knowledge.

[srean]

Pedantically speaking you may be correct about Numberphile, but many times Numberphile provided the exposure and critical nudge to follow up on a piqued curiosity. That did end up imparting new skill.

However I will push back on the claim that inspiration is not education. It may not be sufficient on its own when resources are not readily available. But now that they are it's the inspiration and persistence that are the missing magic sauces.