'These days, most flying knowledge is acquired from internet forums. Instructors just pass on the very basic stuff. Technical knowledge and operational knowledge is not really taught anywhere'.
To a point I agree, however, nothing, repeat nothing, can replace experience. From learning, from reading, from training, leads to us going it alone which gives us experience. The catch of course is no matter how well read, how well informed, and how experienced, there are times when things can catch us. The phrase, 'flying is not inherently dangerous, but is totally unforgiving', is so accurate. We read of the 20,000+ ATPL, who lands short, who forgets to lower the gear, who stalls on finals, the same errors that a newly qualified PPL can also make. Only by freely discussing, and learning some more, can we then perhaps go forward. I agree the AAIB reports are the ones we await, however, they would not tell us that the gust envelope was breached, that we entered an aerobatic manoeuvre too slow/fast, that we misjudged a freak tail wind etc. Transparency is key.