Video Meliora, proboque; Deteriora sequor

More Barzun, on the Casual Use of Great Works of Art

Great works too often seen or performed, too readily available in bits and pieces, become articles of consumption instead of objects of contemplation. They lose force and depth by being too familiar through too frequent or too hurried use. When I hear of someone's proudly "spending the day at the museum," I wonder at the effect: the intake is surely akin to that of an alcoholic. Music likewise is anesthetic when big doses - symphony after symphony, opera on top of opera - are administered without respite. We should remember the Greeks' practice of exposing themselves to one tragic trilogy and one comedy on but a single day each year. High art is meant for rare festivals, where anticipation is followed by exhilaration and the aftermath is meditation and recollection in tranquility. The glut has made us into gluttons, who gorge and do not digest.

-Jacques Barzun, The Culture We Deserve

UPDATE: KTC suggests this is also a problem with video games.