Reply #2: If you read cookbooks the way normal people read novels

[Warpy]

you are a foodie. Same thing for any article that features a glossy photo of food (hint: half the photo is plastic, the other is raw, food photographer's tricks). Eventually, you'll have absorbed enough theory that when you're confronted with the necessity of an empty wallet and a variety of unfriendly ingredients in the cupboard, you'll be able to come up with something that will both nourish you and taste reasonably good. You will be met with high praise for your culinary genius.

Or you'll experience a total flop. Some of those can be fun, too.