Response to misty

So misty had a very interesting question in regards to plastic surgery, "Do you think society will reach a point when it becomes completely passive? (passive in general, like is there a point where we will have done so much that it just doesn't surprise people anymore?)"

ABSOLUTELY!!!! I think society will reach that point with pretty much everything. Why? Because of the diminishing marginal utility of it. Everything has it, art, food, sex, drugs, shopping, whatever. The first time it is experienced, it is a special thing. But then as we continue, the value of the experience becomes less and less simply becuase it has already happened. And so after some point, we either lose interest in it altogether, or we begin to need more of it to still regain that original feeling. (very good example for vices) Or we can change our conception of it, like with art, to keep it interesting and enthralling. And so with plastic surgery, there are those who are addicted to it becuase it made them feel good and they want it to continue to do so. But there will be a point that is reached when they no longer can, or there is an intervention. Plastic surgery is a tricky subject becuase it is a modification of the individual. And on an individual basis, they must be pleased with themselves. But the process will make itself void by the repetition. And then if more people do it, of course it will cease to surprise people. Just like kissing in movies. (yes tangent) At first it was indecent to show a kiss longer than 2 seconds on the screen, and now we have actors undressing each other and going the whole nine yards, and it does not surprise anyone anymore. And this exposure has made us numb.

So my question for right now is, has the evolution of art and societies over time brought art closer to reality, or has the reality of the artworks taken away the mystery of art?