I acknowledge that theory-oriented vs. problem-oriented would be a fair characterization. But I think the language of "comfort zones" and "pushing through" was

I acknowledge that theory-oriented vs. problem-oriented would be a fair characterization. But I think the language of "comfort zones" and "pushing through" was unfortunate and unfair. It suggests that somehow self-taught developers are lazy, when in fact they often have to work harder than anyone else, because nothing is handed to them by a professor or university. (Not to mention that it can be a lot harder to get a job when you don't have any academic credentials.) I would say that teaching yourself a difficult, esoteric skill, with no outside help, is inherently breaking out of your comfort zone.