Here are definitions from Merriam-Webster online dictionary, but what is your take?
Exploitation (noun): an act or instance of exploiting Exploit (verb): 1.) to make productive use of; 2.) to make use of meanly or unfairly for one’s own advantage
Monetization (verb): 1.) to coin into money; 2.) to purchase (public or private debt) and thereby free for other uses moneys that would have been devoted to debt service; 3.) to utilize (something of value) as a source of profit
- Edit - revised title to “Is there a difference…” from “What is the difference…”
A lot of the comments so far are trying to stay with the negative connotation to exploitation. You exploit your comfortable shoes to walk further each day. You exploit the microwave oven’s ability to more quickly warm your coffee than the stove.
This is the same with discrimination. You choose the raspberry danish over the cheese danish. This is you practicing discrimination, and it’s fine.
Any evil in it comes from abuse or impact to yourself with respect to others, that second definition of exploitation in the OP.