Quote Originally Posted by Jiggus
I just got a new poker book a while ago, Phil Gordon's Green Book, and one little note in it states that the great players got great and stay great by discussing the game with other players, or words to that effect. That's what normal people do in all walks of life. Musicians talk about music and give tips and show off new techniques, cooks talk about recipes and ingredients, etc. Why is it so hard to believe that people here aren't genuine?
Good points, and as others have said, there can definitely be learning thru teaching too. And I totally understand that for most people this is a hobby that they've taken up and, just like any other hobby, they enjoy discussing it with others who are interested in it too.

But for some reason poker seems more adversarial than being a musician, cook, etc. or definitely any other hobby. The joy in most of these other things is in the learning, doing and participating, not being better than other people. But I think in playing poker, and maybe I'm wrong on this, most of the joy comes in winning (do you come away from a losing session very often saying to yourself what a wonderful time you've just had?). And I'm thinking the only way you can possibly win at this game over the long haul (and therefore have more fun?) is by constantly playing players that are worse than you (i.e. who are less informed).