Responding to Paul Chance's November 1992 "Kappan" article on motivational value of rewards, this article argues that manipulating student behavior with either punishments or rewards is unnecessary and counterproductive. Extrinsic rewards can never buy more than short-term compliance because they are inherently controlling and ineffective and make learning less appealing. A learner-centered, engaging curriculum counters boredom and diminished motivation. (MLH)