Is first impressions that nobody talks about [v3]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Spent the last few weekends digging into this and the deeper I go the more questions I have.

Quick context: I am relatively new to this and trying to find my footing. Mostly thinking out loud — feel free to push back hard.

Spent the last few weekends digging into this and the deeper I go the more questions I have. Looking for honest feedback, not validation.