blocks are funky.

what_is_self.rb

outside = "foo"

classy = Class.new do
  define_method(:get_thing) do
    outside
  end

  def get_thing_with_def
    outside
  end

  define_method(:curious) do
    self
  end

  def def_curious
    self
  end
end

classy.new.get_thing # => "foo"
classy.new.get_thing_with_def # => NameError

classy.new.curious #=> classy instance
classy.new.def_curious #=> classy instance

outside = "bar"

classy.new.get_thing # => "bar"