You could be right. I don't know what particular example you're thinking about, so I can't really debate you on the substance of the matter.
However, I've seen people monetize the craziest things (and quite well at that). The more niche, the more money even. People pay good money for the most unbelievable things. The biggest issue is more likely to be market inefficiencies, i.e. bringing buyers and sellers together. But I almost guarantee you that somewhere out there is someone willing to pay a ton of money for that one weird problem you can solve for him with your niche skill or interest.
Apart from the difficulties of finding that person or audience though, I'd be curious to hear what things you've been thinking of that are dangerous or impossible to monetize in a way that allows you to humanly subsist at least.
The difference with a hobbyist and the entrepreneur is that the entrepreneur is motivated to follow the market, whereas the hobbyist is motivated by their inner passion for their hobby and hopes the market finds them.
If the hobbyist and the market should meet?
There is a very good but also complex set of reasons why creative professionals stereotypically are not very well off and have poor labor conditions.
Agree it's not impossible to create something out of nothing when you are not motivated by following the market, but also very unusual.
However, I've seen people monetize the craziest things (and quite well at that). The more niche, the more money even. People pay good money for the most unbelievable things. The biggest issue is more likely to be market inefficiencies, i.e. bringing buyers and sellers together. But I almost guarantee you that somewhere out there is someone willing to pay a ton of money for that one weird problem you can solve for him with your niche skill or interest.
Apart from the difficulties of finding that person or audience though, I'd be curious to hear what things you've been thinking of that are dangerous or impossible to monetize in a way that allows you to humanly subsist at least.