>>If you learn about certain styles and techniques and cultural significances, does that take away from the essence of watching movies?

Anyone can watch a film, but studying it wouldn't make you an expert on film-making would it?

Studying Hip Hop is a lot different than living it. Buying and listening and observing is a different world that participating.

I can read football play books all day, know all the stats, have sex with the whole team, but if I'm not out on that field then I can't say I know what it's like to play football.