looking at history is a good thing. and analyzing the charts and the history doesn't have to mean you rely on them. besides it usually depends on what the majority of the market thinks. if they think this year should repeat last year's rise from $1k to $20k then it will happen because they will buy it up. and if they think just because last time the bear market lasted long, it should also last long this time too then it certainly will last long.... as you can see it is being prolonged now because most people thought 6 months of bear market is not enough and it should be equally long as last time.
It may be a good thing, but at the same time, dwelling so much on them, may not actually be the best step to always take. I am saying that because a lot of people dwell on the past a lot, but in reality, the past is never meant to be an indicator of what would happen in the future.
Even though we have heard of different occasions where history repeats itself, but it is just usually better to concentrate on the moment, monitor it, make decisions based on what you see and not what you think about the past, and you will be a lot better at the end.
At least, we have seen past not repeating itself as well, so to me, using past is more like trying to gamble what the future might bring.