Doesn't change the fact that you should know something about all the classics, but you don't have to read them all.

I think this is the essence of the argument that all the pro-classics folks are trying to make. It's one thing to say "I don't like that." It's a whole different claim to say "I don't like that so it has no value and I don't need to understand it." The first is an opinion, and a perfectly valid opinion. The second is embracing ignorance for the sake of ignorance, and it makes my face sad.