The author is saying that in order to truly see something in its complete and full magnitude that you need to essentially discover it. Or at least go into the experience of discovery with a clear head and no preconceived notions of what this beauty or experience should be like. These preconceived notions in essence numb these great experiences to the effect that they are mere clichés which hold only a fraction of the value of the actual experience. But I disagree with the fact that seeing things that have already been seen is not worth seeing for yourself. Though the experience is dulled, it is still an experience worth having. But you need to live in the moment and not get distracted with what it should be like or how you will remember it in the future.  The truest learning experiences are those that the person does for himself and for nobody else but himself.  I found that the author presented some very valid points.  I agree that most people tend to do things based on the idea that they need to prove to others that they are cultured.