It speaks to motivation generally, I think. Most people just want to be able to take care of themselves and the people closest to them; they (and this includes me most of the time) don't have the bandwidth to think beyond paying next month's rent.
Can't remember the source of this quote regarding software developers: "The best minds of my generation are thinking about how to make people click ads."
They are likely making a lot more than they would, otherwise, though.