Why not leave it to the experts?

So I have been wrestling with this for quite some time. Honestly i am a mediocre to okayish stock picker and have done results. (Plan to put my journey here someday).

Coming to your points.

1. Apart from people who are exceptionally smart (Ivy League level), as an individual do you even understand the actual core of industries and their businesses. Let me put it this way, how do you as an individual track an industry (for me its pharma, chemicals) if you do not have a clear knowledge of the industry functioning at a deep level. So here is where it comes to the experts. Either you trust them to pick properly for you or you dont.

2. Learning Curves are important but the whole idea to invest in fund managers/ experts / index funds is to protect a portion of your wealth/ capital. I believe just as having a equity/debt mix is key, as an amateur it is key to have a direct / Expert / MF / Index funds mix. Of course, the way to solve is only invest in sectors/industries you have confidence and deep domain knowledge in. For eg: I do not invest in chemical and pharma now after experiencing losses/sideways for long time.

Some of what i say has been said by @ChaitanyaC also.

Also take whatever i say with a load of salt. I am not in the market to earn 25-30% CAGR but happy with a reasonable rate of return. Those who want to build wealth fast have to obviously take higher risks and venture into uncomfortable zones.