Write docs that slow things down, don't code/build projects, and do it all in the name of greed and the only justification is that it will get cancelled anyways (probably because no real work was being completed).
One of the things that had been problematic at Google is the creation of many more products than are really needed, leading to the infamous Google Graveyard. One of the reasons I have come to like writing design docs for my ideas is that a lot of the ideas turn out to be crap when they get written out. Quite a few are good enough that they have already been done, or close enough, which my colleagues can then inform me of. This is a very lightweight way of trimming out useless projects.
And no, Reader wasn't useless. Different story.
Google could still keep the boring, but profitable products. Just like Microsoft does (although they bundle them).
But it seems that in google promotions are not made for boring things that work.
Edit: also if Google wanted me to really care about my job more than for self interest that relationship needed to be a two way street. The relationship of the devoted employee and disinterested company is common but to me comes across as a bit pathetic. I did a good job there purely because that's how I enjoy doing my job, if the company collapsed I wouldn't have shed a single tear (that's a lie, I miss the free food)