The percentage of the population that has grown up in cities with little or no contact with the backcountry is extremely high and getting higher. Backpacking is just complicated enough that it helps immensely to have some background in camping, hiking or similar outdoor activities before you begin, or else you should work your way into it gradually, starting with the most basic rudiments.

If experienced backpackers stopped mentoring novices, the attrition rate among newbies would be much higher than it already is. That's part of what this forum does, because we love backpacking and want others to enjoy it too. But it is a good idea always to ask newbies on this forum what their experience level is before giving any advice.