It is a positive thing. What do you think keeps the stock market pumping if not the acquisitions of smaller firms by large firms? Even if they're not acquired, their existence itself adds to the total market cap.
I think optimizing for the stock market is what's leading to political instability and making our country a worse place to live; I think it would be great if we threw a wrench into it (although admittedly, any thrown wrench would be smaller than the collective AI-psychosis it's currently undergoing).
I disagree completely. There is no "political instability" in this country. If you want an example of it, see the UK. As for whether the country is a worse place to live, it is that due to human-induced environmental toxins (fossil fuels, CO2, water pollutants, air pollutants, etc.) and due to an erosion of Constitutional rights, none of which has too much to do with the stock market. As for AI, it is meant to lead to greater automation of ridiculous human labor, followed by the grant of benefits to everyone. If you think AI is merely a psychosis, then you're fully removed from reality.