Whether it's trading, investing or gambling, there's only one certain goal that motivates us, that is to make us profitable in the long run. That's the exact reality. People become more eager to trade or invest when they experienced their first profits. That proves that money is the best motivation in trading, others may only be indenial of that because they don't want to be called greedy when we all know we are all greedy by nature.
Yup, I see your point whatever the venue was most people who take the risk are all after the potential amount that they'll be able to gain, most of those traders find different ways and plans different strategies to earn money from this investment, it motivates traders and investors to learn more as they know that with proper understanding and a good knowledge and skills may provide decent amount of benefits, more on that money involves that potentially be taken if you manage to learn the principle and the factors that affects market movements.
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It is undeniable that that is indeed our goal, which is to get some money from what we do. I don't think we should be hypocritical by saying no, because there is no other reasonable reason other than that. Everyone is competing and trying hard to find money, and when they see something that has the potential to bring it, then we will do it.
I agree with Op that basically we are greedy people, but what makes the difference is how we control that greed. People's abilities vary in controlling it, some can completely, some only half and even some people can't, it all comes back to each of us. However, we need to remember that greed will bring us into a bad situation or can even bring us to a slump.