Brad,

I think you are the one being silly. You said, "truly maximizing shareholder value means taking actions that are BEST for the corporation AND the broader society/economy."

Defense stocks are up, maximizing shareholder value in defense sector means lobbying for wars, is that in the best interest of US economy and society? But isn't that what the defense sector has been doing?

Reader Milton Friedman again (who is also referred to in the article by the writer) There is no broader society/economy in Friedman's post.

You can maximize shareholder value in a world in which there are no externalities. Wherever that world is, it is not on earth!