There are, however, some elements of knowledge that are more important than others - and it's often important in learning to check that you actually understand

There are, however, some elements of knowledge that are more important than others - and it's often important in learning to check that you actually understand something on which stuff is later being based rather than just forging ahead and hoping it all works out okay. Besides, the advice was never to just remember. You know? Ask questions, build on your current understanding - if that requires you to go and learn more facts, go do that. It's a question-based method of learning. Makes sense to me anyway - how I learn most of the stuff I do :/