And this is part of the reason that hackers have gotten a bad name. In the old days we were thrilled to find new tools and learn all the different ways to use them.
He never used the H-word. The term "hacking" is used to make computer related tasks seem exciting to children. And people who call themselves hackers do so because it sounds more hip than computer hobbyist or whatnot. In other words, having a interest in computers isn't good enought for them so they aspire to "be something" in return.
I remember collecting every text phile that i could get my hands on. Sitting and reading through all of them, replicating what I had read until I understood the why of it all.
I don't have to point out the fact that you where holding yourself back all along. Anyone really interested in a subject would probably go straight to the most dry but detailed technical resource they could find as opposed to "philes". What you're saying seems highly counter-intuitive to what you're complaining about.

http://antionline.com/showthread.php?t=276031&page=4

Implement the idea!