Can you honestly say with a straight face that those same code authors would be any better if they hadn't read those books? Sometimes the problem isn't the book

Can you honestly say with a straight face that those same code authors would be any better if they hadn't read those books? Sometimes the problem isn't the book but a lack of critical thinking. Using a tool or or method because a book said to use it and not because it was the time and place, is an obvious sign of that to me. And here's the kicker: If you were aware the individual was taking inspiration from a book easily in such a way, what made it difficult for them to take inspiration from you through a dialogue? Hopefully your arguments were stronger than your HN comment.