If anyone has tips for navigating the forum or suggestions for must-read threads, I’d really appreciate it!

There are various boards on this forum where you can find your desired choice about learning bitcoin meant, they are in the likes of:

Bitcoin Discussion Board https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=1.0

Mining Board https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=14.0

Trading discussion board https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=8.0

Speculation Board https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=57.0

Also ensure that you make use the pinned threads on each board to learn what they are all about and required of you, be active and also try to be law abiding by going through the forum rules and regulations https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=703657.0