Does It Really Have To Be Perfect?

What begs the question for me comes from hearing snippets of audio from today's "artists of the moment" where the reliance on technology is exploited to render "perfect" takes, down to pitch-correcting the star's inaccurate vocals. I've been told stories of how certain A&R executives now base decisions during the recording/production process according to "audience/demographic" metrics to determine appropriate "product placement" and in some cases re-tool the "product" to a degree not resembling what was outlined in the original recording contract. For me, this seems to be a direct correlation to our country's obsession with "perfect". There is no true creativity in perfection. Back in 1968 the great record producer Mickey Most (Jeff Beck, Donovan) was quoted, " I don't think there is any art in gramophone records." What I think he is saying is, getting the "perfect take" can drag a recording project to it's knees, be the knock-out punch putting everyone on the ropes or on the mat counting down to zero for the TKO. I was in the studio with a project and the lead guitarist kept informing the producer about changes in pickup configurations and amp settings. After a half dozen of these the producer said, "All I need from you is a performance". It doesn't have to be perfect. If everyone is in synch to the feel and testifying, "It's a Take!" Thoughts?