#Intrinsic

Intrinsic motivation is touted as the wellspring of self-driven action, yet often serves as little more than a fanciful veneer of self-admiration. It claims to transcend rewards and praise, resting on the whimsical notion of “I just want to,” which paradoxically burdens the individual with its own weight. It masquerades as unbridled freedom while secretly chaining its star actor to the relentless demands of self-assessment. In corporate jargon, it morphs into a convenient fiction under the guise of “initiative,” pressuring employees into endless quests for novelty. The internal flame burns bright—until it flickers out, revealing the precarious caprice of a passion that requires constant stoking.