The problem with textbook for all levels (other than them being outrageously expensive) is that they contain many level of abstraction, or what one may call self-censure, presumably in order not to scare kids off. One level is the general consensus of how should a topic should be taught, another layer is the author's view of how it should be taught In practice there's the third layer, where the teacher presents them in a certain way. This results in a long chain of Simon Says where the final, safe stuff that's taught, for the benefit of the students, mind you, may become very detached from the reality and excitement of the topic. Unfortunately, students always sense this and they tune it out, leading to so many people not liking math, physics, signal processing, you name it.
The joy of access to a person who is infinitely (compared to you) knowledgeable in atopic and is willing to interface you on multiple levels and telling you as it is is enormous. Best known such example, of course, is Feynman but physics SE and some other boards come close.
I agree 100% that textbooks have too many levels of abstraction added over time. There's a really interesting answer given on this exact same subject by Bill Gates at the Aspen Festival - check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqf3rvg742g
The problem with textbook for all levels (other than them being outrageously expensive) is that they contain many level of abstraction, or what one may call self-censure, presumably in order not to scare kids off. One level is the general consensus of how should a topic should be taught, another layer is the author's view of how it should be taught In practice there's the third layer, where the teacher presents them in a certain way. This results in a long chain of Simon Says where the final, safe stuff that's taught, for the benefit of the students, mind you, may become very detached from the reality and excitement of the topic. Unfortunately, students always sense this and they tune it out, leading to so many people not liking math, physics, signal processing, you name it.
The joy of access to a person who is infinitely (compared to you) knowledgeable in atopic and is willing to interface you on multiple levels and telling you as it is is enormous. Best known such example, of course, is Feynman but physics SE and some other boards come close.