When you make a lot of money, the number you see in your account starts to become part of your identity because it differentiates you between you and the people you see every day. The same way if I had blue curly hair, that would become a defining factor of where I “differ” from the general public. The numbers in one’s account becomes an obsession-point.
People get obsessed with the number and how much bigger they can make it. It’s like hoarding. No amount will ever be enough. And once you’re able to buy anything, the actual value of that money becomes meaningless. So even more drive to bring the number up because that’s the only novelty you are getting.
That and power.
When you make a lot of money, the number you see in your account starts to become part of your identity because it differentiates you between you and the people you see every day.
“Tres Comas is for winners.” (A wonderful line delivery by the huge asshole venture fund bro in Silicon Valley, that illustrates your point)