> Reading about how to do the thing isn't doing the thing
In my book, doing research/understanding the domain is a crucial part of "doing the thing". Often reading about how to do the thing makes you reconsider doing it at all.
I also think this is true, but one thing distinguishes the two and that is commitment. Resarch opens up new possibilities while doing the thing narrows them. Many people (myself included) have difficulties with that. Reading will only get you so far and I think that is what the poem adresses.
In my book, doing research/understanding the domain is a crucial part of "doing the thing". Often reading about how to do the thing makes you reconsider doing it at all.