Bitcoin knowledge is not only utilized through bitcoin investment. You can take part in any discussion about bitcoin because you know you have the advantage over others. You can be a bitcoin enthusiast and work like a bitcoin influencer or you can be a bitcoin ambassador that will promote bitcoin in your country. With that, your knowledge on bitcoin has always prove that you can be an instrument towards others to learn bitcoin as well. If you decide to invest in the future, that's already your individual's choice and decision.
In my opinion, when you have never been involved in an investment instrument – it is difficult for you to learn that instrument consistently. It is clear to see that when someone starts investing their money in a particular instrument - then they will learn about it regularly and that will keep their knowledge increasing.
One's interest in a subject allows for greater understanding - but, possession of bitcoin is not a prerequisite for learning about it. On this forum, many users are learning about bitcoin without initially owning any. But then, they eventually acquire bitcoin through investment or other means.
You bring up an interesting point: investing to learn versus learning to invest. Theres value in jumping right in to learn the details, but theres also value in watching, learning, and then taking the leap of faith.
Yes, nothing makes you pay more attention than having something at risk. If you have money at risk, you're more likely to stay up-to-date, read the news, and know how the market is moving. But this isnt the only way to do it. In the world of Bitcoin, groups like this can be thought of as an alternative way to learn. Here, you can learn from the knowledge (and stupidity) of the group without having to put your own money at risk.
At first, people might just lurk around threads and posts, but over time, many of them become involved participants who take part in discussions and even invest. There is no "one-size-fits-all" way to learn about Bitcoin.