I read 2 distinct subjects in this question..., and then the undertone. The craft itself and what it has to offer (theory) and the mastery of the theory through practice (skills).

At a fixed point in time, a craft may seem to have a finite amount of theory to offer and some may feel that their is no more to learn, but can you say the same about the skills? And as your skills grow along with your understanding of the theory, wouldn't it be normal to touch/transform the theory with your own discoveries through practice, hence growing the theory further, where it may actually become a subset of the original craft demanding a new set of skills to master? Isn't this part of human nature, hard coded in our genes? I believe that if theirs no more room for learning/growth/renewal/reinvention or desire for such..., I might as well be dead.

On a more non-esoteric note, I practice my instruments on a daily basis (just about) and it's not easy. When I was much younger, it's something that I had to do, being completely helpless in the matter (discipline was not an issue). Now it's a different story. And it's not because I don't love doing the music, but I have to admit that the flame, even though still burning, is not burning as hot as it did many years ago. I cannot play the music if I don't feel it, and practice helps me in this regard. That's the motivation I use these days to discipline myself. I still feel that there's also lot's to learn, but in my case not enough time in this lifetime to even make a noticeable dent in the mastery of this craft. There's always going to be more to learn and through practice..., master. And besides, I have no doubts whatsoever, in my case at least, that the journey is the real challenge and reward, all at the same time.

On the undertone...

I do believe that whenever someone feels like theirs no more to learn (regardless of the craft), that it is simply due to the fact that the interest in that particular craft has dissipated/died, which is the case for many (and that's a sad state of affairs especially when so many years of effort have been invested in learning the skills). But that's a reality that some of us face, sometimes more than once in a lifetime. It's not a terminal condition. It's part of the renewal process which some of us have the chance to experience more often than others.

I used to be pretty good (well, I thought so, for a 16 year old) as a lead guitarist. I could play all but the hardest Metallica solos, and pretty much get through that solo note for note in Black Betty.

I then turned to acoustic and singing.

I can no longer play lead. I suck.

So conversely, you can not practise a craft for years and years and discover it's going to take years and years to get back to the level you were at when you were 16.

As my style of music has changed considerably, I don't feel the need so much to smash out trashing solos anymore, but it'd still be nice if I could do it. I guess it's a matter of learning what takes priority, cause there are just too many darn things in this world to learn AND to keep those skills for good. You can't possibly practise millions of skills every day to keep them all up to scratch. Sad but true.

Algeria, I like your dedication to practise. I'm struggling to just work on my singing every day, let alone all my instruments...

I learnt piano with a hard teacher who would on occasion rap my fingers with a ruler and all that malarkey. Endless scales, arpeggios to a metronome with great attention to fluidity etc. I know Hanon's 60 piano exercises back to front.

I took a few years off as a teenager and when I came back it was like I had never left off. 

Given the the OP is such a wanky rhetorical question, I feel justified in answering it in an equally sarcastic rhetorical manner. So here goes: "No, omniscience is not only possible, but inevitable". That's actually the only space for disagreement the question leaves. I think a space that small, that only allows for disagreement to be that utterly ludicrous, amounts to trolling, meself.

I know what I need to work on.

Arranging!!! AAARRRAAAAGGH!!!!   

I've been a student of the recording arts and sciences for about 45 years now, and I predict that by this time next year I will have learned everything there is to be known about the subject.

Of course, I've been making that prediction for the past 40 years (the first 5 years I was sure I knew everything), but every year I have to push the target date back a little further. 

I count not myself to have apprehended but follow after that which has apprehended me ...

If the victory, prize, reward, etc. (in the craft) is 'won', let me follow the same rule.

Philip


I count not myself to have apprehended but follow after that which has apprehended me ...

If the victory, prize, reward, etc. (in the craft) is 'won', let me follow the same rule.

Actually Philip that reminder has floored me.

Although I've guarded and tended many (and still squandered others) of the abundant gifts I have been given, gratitude has been the single most effective way of developing and sharing them.

Ego makes it easy to overlook the fact that these gifts have been freely given, and seduce me into thinking it's actually me that is the clever one.

The universal feeling that there is still more to learn is merely a spur, an invitation to find further grace.

Appreciation is a great word, meaning of course to gain in value, with interest.

Although I've guarded and tended many (and still squandered others) of the abundant gifts I have been given, gratitude has been the single most effective way of developing and sharing them.

Ego makes it easy to overlook the fact that these gifts have been freely given, and seduce me into thinking it's actually me that is the clever one.

The universal feeling that there is still more to learn is merely a spur, an invitation to find further grace.

Appreciation is a great word, meaning of course to gain in value, with interest.

 
These are fantastic words to live by.  Could not agree with you more here Jonbouy.  Love you way with words.

MakeShift


 
These are fantastic words to live by.  Could not agree with you more here Jonbouy.  Love you way with words.

Thanks Mike, again it's a great example of what Philip reminded me of.  I learned to read before school or my parents were able to provide any help.  Sometime around my 4th birthday I just started reading the newspaper aloud to my Father one morning.  He nearly fell off his chair...

I don't really know where all the good stuff comes from that's the truth...