Are You Reading What You Already Agree With?

By on September 21, 2006 in Conversations with 6 Comments

While in the bookstore yesterday to buy Who Are You People (<– to the blog), the bookseller shared some great insight:

"Nobody buys a book unless they already agree with it."

Interesting, explain.

"I’ve never sold an Ann Coulter book to an Al Franken fan."

Hmm. Do we do the same with blogs?  I don’t always agree with Wayne or Brian, but I rarely miss a post. I’m not in the same business as Sean or Katherine, but I try to read them often.

While my gut says the bookseller is right, I believe its healthy to view different perspectives. Even if you don’t agree with the message of the blog, maybe you can emulate the methods of the blogger.

Interesting conversation considering the title of the book I bought. Do you only read things you already agree with?

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  • http://managetochange.typepad.com ann michael

    Mike -
    Tom Peters’ recently had a bit of a discussion about this at: http://tompeters.com/entries.php?note=009204.php
    Look at Tom’s “rebuttal” comments.
    Personally, I think it’s a mix. I have bought some books and read some blogs that I don’t agree with just to understand different perspectives. When I really want a different perspective, though, I tend to rely on a personal conversation with someone that has an opposing viewpoint to my own – this way I can ask questions and get an even better understanding.
    The funny thing about blogs is that I find myself commenting on posts I agree with (case in point) and not commenting on one’s I don’t agree with UNLESS I “know” the blog well enough that I feel comfortable to bring an opposing view into the mix. You can tell when someone is open to opposing views and when they’re not.
    In general, though, I have to say that when a blog is consistently presenting material that I find irrelevant to my needs, too nasty, or too “sales” focused, I tend to move on.
    Great topic – thanks for writing about it!

  • http://www.maryschmidt.com Mary Schmidt

    Mike,
    I make it a habit to read/listen to people with whom I disagree – including Ms. Coulter (who, aside from being hateful, is a bad, boring writer, which really makes it a hard slog.)
    I also check out blogs in the same manner. If we are to fight the good fight, we need to know what the opposition is saying And, I also try very hard to keep an open mind (after all, I could be wrong in some of my views, as amazing as that seems ;-)

  • http://bobagain.blogspot.com Stefanie

    I think in the local blogging community, the political/personal arena at least, most people read blogs of contrasting opinion. Most of the liberal blogs even link to Krusty, whose masochistic rantings make me want to scream at timees. State often links to Madman and Political Forecast, mostly challenging them, baiting them or insulting them, but he still links.
    I’m pretty sure if these blog writers are linking to alternate views, they are most certainly reading them on a regular basis.
    As far as book buying goes, I’ll purchase a lib book, but I’ll check a conservative book out of the library. Two reasons, I don’t want to line Ann Coulter’s pockets, and since the government now gets info on which books people read in the library, I want them to think I play for their team!! ;)

  • http://www.maryschmidt.com Mary Schmidt

    One reason the mainstream/dead tree media have such a difficult time with the idea of blogging (other than they’re frightened of losing their market and jobs – which doesn’t have to be true, but that’s another post) – is that bloggers of all types read, comment, rumble, ramble and rant. Many of us don’t fit in any one category and we take varying positions. Tough to put us in a box. We’re reading, thinking, connecting (of course,there are some true nutballs in blogville, but that’s just the way coommunities are.)
    As for the library, I check out all kinds of publications – liberal, conservative, etc. – If the government ever checks my list – it’ll totally confuse ‘em! ;-)

  • Brett Trout

    I probably read more blogs opposing my views than those agreeing with them. I also post to message boards full of people wholly unlike myself. It is a real learning experience to have people diametrically opposed to your beliefs respect and enjoy you as a poster. I also think you learn a lot more immersing yourself in alternate ideologies. It takes a pretty thick skin, but I find it strengthens, rather than shakes, my beliefs.

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    >Ann, that’s a great conversation (and appropriate) on TP’s blog. also a great point about knowing when an opposing view will be acceptable to the conversation or not. Not just to the author, but the community of readers.
    >Mary, As usual…:-) Since sometimes the “fight” is offline, reading opposing views can help us form our opinions, at times strengthening them, other times changing our minds based on new information. One of the beauties of blogging is that we can hear from all kinds of perspectives – and have a record of what’s been said.
    >Stef, great idea on using the library for alternative or opposing views. Why waste money? Smart play! And your point about how bloggers often point to opposing views proves how valuable a resource reading blogs can be (depending on the blogger).
    >Brett – A thick skin is needed. While the comments on this post are show a willingness to learn from (or at least listen/read) opposing views – I still wonder if mainstream/dead tree readers (thanks for that term, Mary) do likewise. Unless they’re practicing the library route that Stef and Mary practice – I doubt it.

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