While I agree with the spirit of your post, starting with abstract algebra is probably too formal and abstract. The best way to learn something is by learning

While I agree with the spirit of your post, starting with abstract algebra is probably too formal and abstract. The best way to learn something is by learning the concepts first and progressively formalizing, always with some link in the chain connecting back to tangible experience. I would possibly throw this out as an interesting way to learn a bit (not really a whole lot, but a fun start) about abstract algebra: https://www.crypto101.io/ https://www.crypto101.io/