What you're describing is obsession and it can be even more dangerous that just plain old greed. However I find myself saying the same thing sometimes...
In what way is "enjoy[ing] the prospect of potentially denting the universe a bit" obsession? Are you saying that being motivated by things other than finances is obsessive?
No, what I'm describing is a deep interest in something. Obsession is the pathological end of this spectrum but 'being driven' in and itself is not a negative thing.