Do I Need to Read Things I Disagree With?

There’s common advice out there that you shouldn’t only read things you agree with. That by reading things you disagree with you might get convinced of other people’s points. However, I’m pretty set in my thoughts. 

My background consists of economics, philosophy, and mathematics. Anyone who posts things with economic, logic, or mathematic fallacies in their statement will always be rejected in my mind. 

But, there are 7 billion people in the world. They don’t all share my beliefs. Surely there are at least 3.5 billion people who have absolutely opposing beliefs. Yet, I should read the things they share because I might be convinced?

I don’t think so. I do read things outside of my expertise, and outside of my stances (either for or against), but am usually unphased. When reading other people’s beliefs, I shrug it off and am open to them but it’s pretty meaningless to get emotional. 

Maybe it’s my libertarian/Stoic take on life, but if someone wants to have a different opinion then I’m more than willing to be accepting. Personally, I might think they’re wrong, but I’m not in control of their beliefs.

You do you.