Is this one of those things where getting the book is handy if you really want to embrace it?
I suppose it comes down to one's learning style/philosophy and also one's goals. Like whether one wants to learn how it works or whether one just wants to talk about it. In my opinion, if the goal is to actually understand a complicated subject, ten hours with a textbook is worth hundreds of hours of unguided internet googling or debating. This is because a textbook provides a coherent overview of the framework. It shows the forest, whereas internet searches, random articles, and forum debates tend to concentrate on the individual trees that one happens to stumble upon. This is fine if one sees the forest. Otherwise, talking about trees without having ever seen the forest can be an exasperating waste of time.
In short, you need the textbook if you haven't read it. You don't need the textbook, if you have read it. In my opinion, it's not a keeper. Once you understand the system or the skeleton, the internet is a better source of meat.
Whereas for extroverts it's great because they think "damn I could use some socializing" and then they spot someone needing help in the garden. The introvert gets help, has an easy conversational topic, and the extrovert gets the socialization they need.
I appreciate spontaneity structured around activities as well. For extroverts, it certainly seems like the main goal can be just connecting and conversation.
Using the reverse fishbone diagram, yes, the 0th order goal for this extravert is often socializing. I now seek to replace detrimental 1st order effects with beneficial ones. Drinking beer and talking is replaced with walking and talking. More ERE people nearby seems like it will mean a better chance of this happening.
Today's topic of conversation in the MMG was "how do exercise and diet fit into your web of goals?" The discussion had a "back to basics" feel to me, in a couple different ways. The first way is that many "classic" examples came up, in that if you have been around the forum or read the book, nothing would be revolutionary. This was actually a good reminder to me, though, that EREers are quite different than the average American. While housework and yardwork aren't going to put anyone in the position to keep up in any burpee competitions, some people my age/income are outsourcing all those activities. I couldn't even imagine. I didn't even consider things like this at first when asked how many hours per day I use my body.
The other way it felt "back to basics" had to do with the "back" part. @DustBowl pointed out that even if I have regressed when it comes to diet and exercise, that having gotten over the mental hurdle sometime in the past is a good place to be. So even if I'm driving all around town right now, at least I don't have to be convinced that walking or biking are legitimate modes of transportation. It's possible to fall back into old (good) habits.
There was also talk of discipline vs stoke vs just designing one's environment.
My favorite tangent was talk about homing pigeons.
