A big thumbs up to this.
I think architecture is an especially pertinent example. Think of all the horrendous modernist monstrosities built by "starchitects" who thought they knew better in the 20th century. There's a reason the traditional forms have been around since ancient Greece - they serve very human needs.
I love James Kunstler's eyesore of the month blog for pointing out the worst examples of architects working without any respect for tradition.
And on the other hand, there's A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander. This is a long-standing classic that made a genuine attempt to understand what works in architecture, from the personal to the national, and explain the way all the interlocking parts contribute to human prosperity and happiness. It took 1100 pages, but it's become such a classic that even computer programmers have studied it to improve their field.
I keep meaning to read A Pattern Language, but even at the speed I read it's a somewhat daunting task.
It's a fun one to browse, at least. Good for the bedside or the bathroom. Small sections on each subject with links to related passages.
I'll grab it from the library again!