"everyone cares since..."It's because Cuban's methods create a smoke screen.
He seems interested in reactions based on emotions which would seemingly give us the end result of "do you have what it takes."
But the results are actually skewed because the main and only motivator is money. Not all decisions in life are based on money. He makes it sound like the only reason people get up in the morning is to go out and make money, and/or the only reason he/others go into business is to make money.
I noticed that he is all alone in his mansion, and he said he hasn't taken a vacation in years. He's lopsided. He recruited those people, so he could try and figure out what he's doing wrong. He is well aware that he doesn't have it all, but he doesn't want you to know that.
He admonished the buff chick with the NY accent because she was living in style. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't she say she grew up in poverty, not necessarily still living in poverty?
Based on what he conveniently overlooks, he's the type of guy who would write about book about Princess Diana, make a billion dollars by exploiting her death, and not share any of the proceeds with the royal family. Granted, the royal family is rich and they don't need the money per se, but an honerable author would share the proceeds appropriately. Even if the Royal Family didn't want the money, they could donate it to charity in order to turn his blood money into something positive.
He hides behind the fact that it's a game, but if he was really a good natured person, he would at least reimburse the participants for game-related expenses and/or lost wages while playing. He never will - he's a user.
I think people were rooting for the underdog, and the educated lady ended up winning. She has taken a different path in life, so we was able more easily identify to say the things that Cuban wanted to hear. It's as if Cuban used only their reaction at the end to decide who gets the money, and he forgot all about past efforts.
If this is what it's like taking the pulse of the nation, basically most of us are screwed.