I do not accept the premise of your fantasy world where it is remotely common for high school graduates to self-teach themselves quantuum physics, higher mathematics, and advanced laboratory genetics.
I however do accept your tacit admission that your life, and all the technology and public infrastructure you rely on, renders you utterly independent people with college and graduate school degrees.
I could teach a physics geek to change a tire in ten minutes.
There is zero chance you could sit down with books and teach youself professional competency in higher mathematics and physics in years of attempts.
Without googling it, you probably don't even know which way to turn the spinners (found on older Corvettes) or the lug nuts on an older Chrysler.