It's not the economic output itself, but what it represents. I can value myself as a human being all I want, and I should, but without that economic output, it's a much harder life. Money gets you food and a roof over your head. More money gets you better food and a better roof that doesn't leak and a more secure one as well. (also gets you more problems)

Gets you a car that runs, one that runs reliably instead of breaking down. A parking space for it, even in the center of a big city.

It represents security, happiness, vacations, things/stuff. We can judge however we want about those categories but judging people isn't going to change that do actually want them. So maybe you can get all that without economic output, it just seems like it would be easier to accomplish/achieve with than without.