[GuB-42]

Because we expect people who do good things to be rewarded. It will incitate people to do more good things.

And in our society, it generally means money. With money, you eat better, sleep better, you are able to do more of the things you enjoy and less of the things you don't. Money also allows you to become charitable, for example, if you think homelessness is a problem, with money, you can build a shelter. There a reason charities want money above all else.

Now, what are "good things"? In the context of game apps, that's an game that a lot of people enjoy playing.

Put everything together and you get monetization, it is a way to turn goodness into rewards.

[doctorwho42]

That works only in theory.

I can name a plethora of good things that are not rewarded.

- teaching - writing good documentation - picking up trash - putting back your shopping cart - writing useful books (generally only the best of the best of the best get any real rewards) - helping a stranger - maintaining or improving the environment (don't drill baby drill)

So though I think the economic philosophy of providing incentive/rewards for good things, it is almost anything but that in practical economics

[bittercynic]

I think all of those things are rewarded, it's just that the rewards are intrinsic. If you do any of those things well, it will be enjoyable for you.

[falcolas]

Don’t forget, especially relevant for thus crowd, writing open source software.

[cat_adorer]

If that is the case, then the best way to monetize things would be to ask for donations; it allows the user to decide whether the person has done good work, rather than forcing them to have a less pleasant experience. Everyone should understand that the person who best understands how they feel is that person.