And if you write novels mostly because you enjoy watching them sell, as opposed to sharing ideas with people, you don't care.

To scientists, the purpose of science is to learn more about the world; to certain others, it's about making a number of dollars go up. Mathematicians famously enjoy creating math, and would have no use for a "create more math" button. Musicians enjoy creating music, which is very different from listening to it.

We're all drawn to different vocations, and it's perverse to accept that "maximize shareholder value" is the highest.