From a social perspective, its more sport/gladiatorial. Scratching out a living is too mundane at times. BUt it's that very same boring predictability that piles on trading profits...
Thank you, Xandman. This kind of analysis is exactly what helps to see the picture clearer. If we see why exactly different people trade, we can also come closer to seeing why some fail and others succeed at it.
I'm trading fully systematically so my context will be different to many. It's about 20% for the money, and 80% for the fact I find 'it' interesting, where 'it' is a combination of research, software engineering and a fascination for the markets. Only 20% for the money because I would be okay if I just stuck my capital entirely into a diversified ETF portfolio (although earning trading profits does make life a little more enjoyable). I guess this might help me, because I don't feel the need to run my system at excessive risk levels. I really believe that trading purely for money, and requiring a certain level of returns if this is your only source of income a) encourages over betting and results in blowups, and b) leads to stress, lack of focus and mistakes if discretionary trading; or failing to stick to a system if trading systematically.
I trade for the money. Early on I thought trading a way to make a LOT of money and believed I could be successful.
May I ask, what was the reason that it's the markets related research and engineering you found the most interesting? Why not space rockets for example?
Didn't think about it as "optimal".... just "looked doable" and understood it would be important over a lifetime.