I have seen many, many jaw-droppingly gorgeous quilts which were, as you say, "quilted to death". Although it's not the type of machine quilting I do, I can surely appreciate the beauty of the completed quilt, and the artistry and skill required to make it.
It is true that hand quilting typical of the 1800's was also "quilted to death", by necessity, because the batting would lump up if it were not held in place with dense hand quilting.
Fortunately, there's room in this world for all quilting styles and tastes. Vive la difference!