"You can't learn that which you think you already know..."

Our world has become a lot more polarized over the course of the last several years.  I'm not sure when it began exactly, and I definitely don't know how it will end.  Regardless, whether it's politics, sports, entertainment, or just daily life, our views and opinions have become stronger and we tend to gravitate towards one side of the spectrum versus the other.  

Studies show that our lives tend to congregate around other people that we agree with.  We listen to podcasts and watch television shows that share our views on different opinions and ideas.  We follow individuals on social media whose views and opinions mirror our own.  We even read newspapers, books, and magazines that are consistent with our opinions and views.  Unfortunately, the studies also show that this lack of diversity in opinion and thought contributes to the polarization that we see in our world today.

Ryan Holiday recently talked about the need for diversity in opinion and thought on his Daily Stoic podcast (see "Why you must build a deep bookshelf").  He says, "Most people look for mirrors.  Their bookshelves are full of books that reflect back what they know and believe."  The entrepreneur and author Luke Burgis, who was a recent guest on Holiday's podcast, says "That's what I call a thin shelf.  What we want to build is a deep shelf."  He goes on, "Republicans should be reading books by Democrats; Democrats should be reading books by Republicans; atheists or agnostics should read Ratzinger; Christians should read Dawkins; Talebians should dabble in Pinker."

The Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca would have agreed with Burgis.  He wrote, "Cross over into the enemy's camp.  Not as a deserter, but as a scout."  Similarly, Epictetus reportedly said, "You can’t learn that which you think you already know.”  In other words, read more widely.  Broaden your intellectual horizons.  Learn how others think.

Ryan Holiday finishes his blog with the following admonition.  "Read and study like a scout.  Go into the enemy's camp.  Build a deep bookshelf.  Challenge yourself.  Vary your (intellectual) diet.  Expose yourself to new, foreign influences.  That's how you get stronger."  Indeed.