If you are new to lifting, you probably shouldn’t be handling weights that can damage your lower back and knees. You will learn the correct form as you progress. Ego is more dangerous than squats.

i've seen this mentality floating around and i don't quite understand it. i think the real problem is this sense of competition and machismo where new lifters feel like they have to be good at it on day one and can't employ a little humility and patience to work on their mobility. these movements are essential and it blows my mind the excuses people will make not do do them.

to anyone here who routinely jumps to one plate without warming up and struggles to hit depth: know that i pity you, but you can still back off and get good at these movements if you really care.

Not unless you chuck a whole lot of weight on inappropriately. The advice for almost all newbies is to start with the bar. Even then they could put some weight on and still not be at any risk at all. The issues don't show up for quite some time with inappropriate form, or u til quite a bit of weight is put on prematurely. Starting off with dome youtube videos is just fine. Getting help when you eventually want to progress further and get more serious is recommended.

I'm a fan of squats, I did 340lbs last week, heaviest 385lbs.

I got injured doing a 225lb warmup on squats. If I had to diagnose what actually happened, I'm overly tight and the synovial fluid caused some injury.

But that injury lasted 1-2 months, I just didn't squat. I've been neglecting stretching for to long.

Just to let you know there is not really any good evidence for anything you are saying.