Ode (Greek)
Chorus: (loud, not shouting) Habituation! Habituation!
Verse 1: Why does beauty fade over time in the eye of the beholder?
What is it about the perception of a beautiful person, object,
or experience that makes a sublime moment so fleeting?
Chorus: (same) Habituation!
Verse 2: When we repeatedly listen to a favorite song, or enjoy a sinful
dessert, the experience lessens in intensity over time. With each
repetition, our experience of it changes. It is possible that we may
over think or intellectualize an experience which could reduce the
emotional impact it may have on us. But more often, I believe
familiarity and habituation play a large role in the degree to which
our impressions change over time.
Chorus: (slightly softer) Familiarity breeds contempt!
Verse 3: When we are first seduced by the beauty of a rare experience, we want
the sensations to last for as long as possible. One reason for the
gradual decline of intensity may simply be our inability to contend
with sustained emotions. When we become dazzled by the same
experience over and over, we may easily become vulnerable to the
enchantment, lessening our ability to manage the tasks of everyday
living, ultimately losing connection with ourselves and others.
Chorus: (soft) Seduction.
Verse 4: Daydreaming, or a new romantic love interest, are common examples of
situations where we can easily lose track of immediate goals. Though
wholly interesting and exciting, these situations may place us in a
vulnerable or even dangerous position over long periods of time.
Chorus: (poco cresc.) Compulsion, Obsession, Addiction.
Verse 5: Addiction is an extreme form of habituation. Addiction is dangerous
precisely because the intense experience associated with its effects
does not lessen with each occurrence. Addiction threatens social
stability, and often survival itself.
The Chicken and the Egg 