History: Why do we use faster sample rates or larger bit depths?

Why do we use faster sample rates or larger bit depths?

• None of the other answers.
  There is a good answer available.
• When we modify sounds to the extreme.
  Correct!
• We don't.
  There is a good reason sometimes to go beyond album quality recording.
• To hear the sound more clearly as-is.
  A common misconception, but human hearing has its limits.