I think a lot of this is showcasing some really bad advice. Working through a book or tutorial is actually often a fantastic way of quickly getting a mental model of something. Trying to "just do it", without thinking of how you will learn how to do it, can lead to you banging your head against the wall or wandering around in circles. Good tutorials matter.
Thanks for your input! It's true. 'Learning' is good for reaching a specific solution, but not for achieving your long-term plans.