It is not true. I worked with many programmers that were productive and never read any scientific papers. It is enough that somebody on the team (me) reads them and provides the corresponding perspective.
Well, what can we do? It's your experience versus mine, and you're in no position to tell me that my experience isn't true.
Also the comment I responded to only mentioned books and courses, so I'm not sure that your reply is relevant. I certainly do not read white papers myself--don't feel smart nor motivated enough to do that--but I do read plenty of reference books and take courses on CS theory, which derive their content from white papers anyway, except that the information is presented in a more readable and pedagogical manner.
It is not how it works. A single counter-example is enough to refute your point.
For simplicity (just the essence), imagine, you said: "I've never saw a white crow" (your experience) and I said: "I saw a white crow" (my experience). The conclusion that combines both: there are white crows.
