We are quite possibly living in the dumbest time of humankind. Media has lowered mental capacity, memes have replaced research, and miscommunication is more common than common sense . . . and, it shows.
Emotional intelligence is the ultimate form of independence. Sure, having money, traveling, and being mysteriously unavailable all the time feels like freedom — but you'll still be held back if you can't navigate others' emotions and effectively communicate your own.
I'm all for changing your opinion when presented with new information. But, allowing your opinion to be changed by popularity alone means you didn't have an opinion to begin with — you were simply seeking validation from the "cool kids."
If you don't like what people are saying about you, don't correct them — correct your view of them. Stop seeing others as your source of self-esteem and you simply won't care what they're saying or thinking.