The quickest way to learn a game is to lose at it with people who’ll explain why.

Losing is the one situation where the information is free and specific. You cannot get good by reading rules, because what beats you shows exactly which of your assumptions were wrong, and decent opponents will explain if you ask. The uncomfortable part is being visibly the worst in the room for a while. That is the fee, and it is the whole fee.

Join the thing where you will be the weakest player this week, in a game, a sport, an argument about a subject you barely know. Ask whoever beat you what you should have done, then come back next week.