@nova *Parts* of previous generations -- not the majority -- and the same people repeat it as much as they can.
One of the motives, I've come to realize over the years, is competitiveness. Some people have a competitive drive to outdo and beat other people -- have the biggest yacht, the bigger total market cap, the ownership/market power to foil a perceived rival's goals, the greater net worth, etc. -- that drive is their greatest impetus; and they just don't care much about others' welfare