Considering that learning is a means to an end for most people, another factor is employers' willingness to hire a self-taught individual -- far greater in areas like software development or design (where one can showcase one's skills through a portfolio) than say medicine (where the only credential of accepted value is a professional degree). Not saying that's the way it should necessarily be, but the status quo presents a hurdle for self-learners and content creators.
That said, we're in this for the long haul, and we definitely want to try and push the boundaries in areas other than software/technology down the road.