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phrase requests - What's a word for someone with low level of knowledge in an area, and no intention of going further?


Over on Photography Stack Exchange, people often describe themselves as "beginners" or "newbies". Nothing at all wrong with that — in fact, it's great. Both of these terms have the implication of starting at a low level now, but with the general expectation of gaining knowledge.


I want to distinguish this from someone who doesn't really want to begin at all. In photography, they may just want to take a decent picture for social media but don't actually want to learn anything or, heaven forbid, practice. But I also don't (always) mean this negatively: if that's not your interest, you're just needing to do this thing in the course of something you do care about, why should you become an actual beginner?


The same could apply to computers — I may be not very skilled at spreadsheets, but, also I don't consider myself a beginner, because I have no intention of getting better. I just sometimes find myself needing to edit them and send them around to people for my job.


Is there a word for this concept? I was thinking "tourist" — but, hopefully something less metaphorical. Sometimes people say "not a professional" or "just an amateur" with this kind of meaning, but particularly in photography that's really not the right distinction — an amateur may in fact be an expert.


This also isn't the same as "dilettante" — which does seem a perfect match for the full text of the question What word means someone who’s satisfied with superficial knowledge?, because that has a) an implication of showiness I don't mean to imply and b) doesn't apply very well at all to the case of someone just wanting a basic question answered so they can get a different job done. A dilettante has — or feigns — interest in a topic (and even may pretend expertise), but doesn't really have the will to learn. I'm looking for a word for someone who doesn't even have the interest or pretense of one.


In usage: "I just want a camera that will do everything for me — I don't want this as a hobby... I'm just a _____".



Answer



Dabbler: a person who follows a pursuit without attaining proficiency or professional status.


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