Yeah wow, same here. I wasn't allowed to watch TV in the family house until age 14 (minus the random Nature/Nova special.) I am also lacking pop culture knowledge from the late 1980's and early 1990's. That was a (self-created) "big deal" in early education, but now I think it's a benefit.
Ontop of the no tv, we were also raised with only creative toys. Instead of GI Joes we got kickass (really they kicked ass) wooden blocks. LEGO instead of nintendo. Shit LEGO was my life.
I can't thank my parents enough for that decision as the effects are clear: I am thankful for the skills I have with my hands and mind.
But dammit, there were many times I wished I could join into the discussion about what happened on 90210 last night without faking it.
I also had Legos, you're right :) - I loved LEGOs, both me and my brother used them, but it seems we had different inclinations from a young age, I loved building things while he used them as a stage and made them act :) (now he's into the publicity business)
I doubt I read as much as you did - I spent much of my unsupervised time taking things apart that I shouldn't and building really silly shit in my dad's shop. The effect is in the same vein as your reading abilities: I feel confident in my abilities to repair or build almost anything, even with no previous domain experience.
Ontop of the no tv, we were also raised with only creative toys. Instead of GI Joes we got kickass (really they kicked ass) wooden blocks. LEGO instead of nintendo. Shit LEGO was my life.
I can't thank my parents enough for that decision as the effects are clear: I am thankful for the skills I have with my hands and mind.
But dammit, there were many times I wished I could join into the discussion about what happened on 90210 last night without faking it.