On the other hand, every discipline that I can think of has its own set of best practices. Why should software development be any different? I know a lot of people are susceptible to the mindless repeating, but that's not a fault of best practices.
I'm not against the idea per se, just highly skeptical when I hear it used, because more often then not, I've seen it used to promote mindless repetition of previously used patterns.
Sure, the intention is good, but it promotes mindless repeating of patterns over thinking about what really helps.