If I remember correctly, didn't Neo get beat by Morpheus at first? Doesn't this imply that "knowledge insertion" only goes so far in terms of application and personal experience?

Based on my own lived experiences, yes, I would use technology to "insert" information into my brain; but I would also take the time to apply that knowledge through practical exercises, in order to learn from personal experience and thereby to expand and hone my skills.

I think, however, that this article is hinting at something deeper: how do we quantify and qualify "knowledge?" Because the author is correct, we can learn valuable lessons by having a relationship with our instructors; and if we eliminate that relationship, how do we make up that lost knowledge? They seem to suggest that, if we can insert knowledge of kung fu into a person's head, then we can (theoretically) insert the knowledge of (for example) restraint; that is, we can implant the wisdom to know when (and when not) to use our kung fu skills.

But this would require a much deeper understanding of what it means to learn something; how to identify the sources of our knowledge; and how to synthesize those disparate pieces of information into a cohesive whole (which will be accepted by a person's mind).