I tink he's been misunderstood... Pity.
It's just the way he phrased his original post. I tink what he meant is, he wants to be up and about with the flash past the Auto mode but without having to plough thru the manual. Of cos, if u choose to view his question as "taking the easy way out", then the opinion u form of him will be negative. (Btw, I dunno who he is n I'm not related to him.)
I know what he means by "new age learning". There may be other terms for it. I've been thru the edu system over here and it's frustrating when u get lousy textbooks and teachers. Mentors and guidance are very important in one's learning. If u can get a good mentor who teaches u the task in a very precise and systematic manner, u save A LOT of time fumbling thru the books or manuals. This applies to all forms of learning, be it photography, passing your exams with flying colors or whatever.
Who here dare say Canon manuals are fantastic? And even if u look at the tons of books available in the libraries and bookshops on techinques, only a selected few of the authors reveal how they actually took the shots and in precise manner what they did. Others just gave very general views/comments.
Problem is, in such a forum, it is human nature for us to quickly put down others whenever an opportunity comes. This post creates that environment. For eg, "How to use a flash?" and the poster shot himself in the foot by adding that he has no time. It's like asking How do I drive a car? But I have no time to read the manuals! What is meant is that "I want you to show me the essentials and I dun want to waste time reading the driving notes (remember the kind your driving instructor gave u?)
Problem also is that a skill like photography takes years of mistakes and trial and error to perfect, be it the technical aspects of it or the creative part. Would you be willing to impart all your skills to an unknown poster? I doubt so.
But seriously, I still believe if one is willing to learn, and I am willing to teach, I can impart what I know to the person in 2 weeks what I've learnt in 2 years. But to be better, of cos he or she needs practical skills. But at least the person can save that much amount of time. I wish I had someone to guide me in all these when I was a newbie to photography. But it is often hard work, lots of reading, try and error with films (back then). Frankly the trouble ain't worth it if u ask me. The time could have been used to explore more creative stuffs. But then, the knowledge I have is mine to keep forever.
Now who is willing to impart their years of knowledge to another for free? ;p