[Excessum]

Ok... i'll take the liberty of going off-topic of the topic that has gone off the topic already a long time ago.

Let's assume that what you say is true and the main motivation for people to DO things is wealth. Ok. Now... could you please tell me why we need wealth? Why we crave to have a hue house, 20 cars, a beautiful wife and 5 wonderful kids? Why?
I'll tell you why... it's due to the same thing you seem to be so familiar with: Instincts. Am i right, or am i completely right? Females usually seek the man that is better than the rest of the crowd, since he will be better suited as a father to her children... In the prehistoric ages, it was the biggest, strongest, male of the group, since he was able to provide more resources and protect the family better.
Nowdays it's the wealth that counts, since that also demonstrates the ability to provide the resources (food, protection) for the family, the same as superiority above other males (though other factors, of course, also remain... some from the prehistoric ages). That's, of course, only one of the instincts that drives us and it happens on the level of subconsciousness and is applicable to both genders, only with different factors involved. Maybe i do sound like a guy who has read too much of Freud's publications, but you have to agree that this IS one of the main things that drives our society... if not the main one.
Now... in the society where the food, shelter, security is granted, the need for a male who is able to provide all of this, is logically bypassed, leaving only the 'being superior' part. Do you really think that a chick would go for a slacker who does nothing but sit all day on the couch and watches tv? Or would she go for a man who has proven himself to be superior above others (or at least the slacker crowd... since without a doubt, there would be one, i am not denying it). Even if she would settle for a young male nurse, who hasn't got much of a career opportunities (but who loves his job... since well, he has chosen it), the males would still do what they can to appear better... they... i mean we... would compete in order to prove ourselves... wouldn't we?
No, i do not think that instincts are the ONLY thing that drives us... but it's pretty close to it. And of course, our primal instinct is not the only one that counts.

... the point is... that you would still want to become the best one in what you do... especially if you have chosen the path by yourself... be it due to fame (smells like primal instinct to me... again) or the will to improve yourself and become better... if not the best.

As for the balance between demand and supply... well yeah... that could be a problem in some areas of production/services... or maybe not, considering the technological development... hmm *snores*