Reads like an advertisement for Copperfield. But in terms of advancing the art form and of classic prestidigitation, I can think of no better current practitioner than Ricky Jay.
Generally I don't think it does. Magic is an art form, and a love by many. The same fanatical support that artists, or musicians have for their craft, magicians have for theirs.
So quite often magicians do things for the benefit of the whole craft, versus any individual gain.
If you imagine it like other arts, it starts to make sense in my view.