[larryb]

I think you are right. I think it's the act of creation that pulls us. In a way, it's like the distinction between hearing music live and a recording. Or theatre vs a movie (though the analogy doesn't quite hold as well there). We hear the same music from a particular musician or group live as when it's recorded, and sometimes the live performance has flaws. But we love the live performance. Maybe it's all about being in the presence of art being created at the very moment. Something about the process that draws us in.