I don't see it as digression, John
I see it as.. emm... "part of the problem" (I think this term fits best, but still- I'd like to have better one handy).
It's the same with driving ("I've been driving this way 30 years, officer, never had accident!" Someone here said. Of course not about himself
)
I could add "I've got tiled roof because everyone else has"
"It's wallpaper actually holding my walls together because that's the way it always was"
Sure, one could think in pattern of "trying to teach old dog new tricks", but then there's plenty of "young dogs" around, and... They're taught old tricks!
Edit:
Just to avoid misunderstanding:
I'm in no way against keeping heritage sites, buildings of historic value etc.
We owe it to our children.
But not being able to take down a terraced house that literally crumbles from age and simply wrong materials (whatever was available at the time it was built), and put up new one, even same looking but built strong, because "this is traditional"?
Laugh!
Sad laugh.