Sure, Google is worth more but they essentially reduced themselves to an ad business. They aren't focused on innovation as much as before. Shareholder value is the new god.

Agreed that Friedman cursed the market with "shareholder theory", and it is a totally subversive and corrupting concept because whatever will increase value is accepted because it's the doctrine.

Economic "theories" have an annoying way of being self-fulfilling.

An ad business is all Google ever was. But they made 20 billion in profits last quarter. Why mess with a good thing? Innovator’s Dilemma.

Also, to be fair, OpenAI’s huge valuation is only a promise right now. Hopefully they will eventually turn profitable…

Shareholder value is fine. Share seller value is what is targeted.

Where would most people want to work is the question. This is all a talent game.