Work, making something valuable for another human being, becomes boring and selfish, i.e. done only for the money. Extrinsic rewards may produce an achieving society, but not necessarily a caring or happy society. Do not assume, however, that all extrinsic rewards are bad or ineffective. They are vitally important, as we will see. But our society has become so focused on the extrinsic and materialistic payoffs that, like the kids playing ball, we, as a society, are in danger of overlooking the intrinsic satisfactions in life.
Intrinsic motivation can be powerful too.
Perhaps intrinsic motivations become less influential in our lives as we become less concerned with values, morals, and contributing to others. This is a neglected but critical issue in building a life or a society. Intrinsic motivation, of course, leads to achievement, but achievement leads to more intrinsic motivation too. But intrinsically motivated gifted students may see grades, college admission, and teacher evaluations, even praise, as unpleasant unwanted controls and pressures. These external pressures may be considered unimportant or be resented and resisted.