As with everything, knowledge flows downhill and IMO a 'beginner' poker Player is much more advanced by the time they find this site. It's also possible that new 'viewers' of the site are actually using the search function instead of just trying to blast out new threads and being torn to pieces by the masses.
I took Algebra in 8th grade .. my kid is taking it in 6th. GL
Basically the game's the same, just got more fierce, so people think they need to be a GTO wizard to beat 2NL. That's clearly bollocks, but it doesn't stop people asking stuff that is generally above a beginners question
When I was learning to play, state of the art was actually doing equity estimates, calculating pot odds, and figuring out win percentage based on outs. A good player was one who applied steady pressure and either got players to fold, or got them to chase draws with a bad price.
Those skills are now considered baseline beginner skills. There are so many quick start guides to playing poker that most every beginner knows how to count odds and estimate equity, how to read tells, knows the difference between bluffing and value betting.
As the level of sophistication of an activity increases, the baseline, entry level also increases.
