YouTube is amazing for the sort of tacit knowledge the author is talking about, as well as things that actually transfer pretty well in well written manuals, like auto repair. I use YouTube to find tacit information on household/auto repairs, how to enhance my 3d printer, etc... all the time. It really is a new repository of knowledge for humankind. It is amazing, and boon for me and my life.
However, much of my ability to enjoy and use that tacit knowledge is predicated on having other basic skills. I know my way around tools and a shop both because my dad taught me and because I took courses in school.
YouTube (and much of online learning generally) is fantastic to for learning specific, point in time skills that you need to use right away. This is incredibly important and incredibly useful. It is less good at ensuring the people learn the fundamental skills they need to make these sorts of point in time learnings accessible. After all, while I didn't learn how to replace the trunk lock assembly on a 2010 Toyota Highlander in school, but I did build enough things in Junior High shop class that I knew what a socket wrench was and that it was possible to fix things.
These technologies and systems serve different needs, I think its important to recognize that.
However, much of my ability to enjoy and use that tacit knowledge is predicated on having other basic skills. I know my way around tools and a shop both because my dad taught me and because I took courses in school.
YouTube (and much of online learning generally) is fantastic to for learning specific, point in time skills that you need to use right away. This is incredibly important and incredibly useful. It is less good at ensuring the people learn the fundamental skills they need to make these sorts of point in time learnings accessible. After all, while I didn't learn how to replace the trunk lock assembly on a 2010 Toyota Highlander in school, but I did build enough things in Junior High shop class that I knew what a socket wrench was and that it was possible to fix things.
These technologies and systems serve different needs, I think its important to recognize that.