Theoretically, shorts and Longs are legitimate parts of an...

Theoretically, shorts and Longs are legitimate parts of an efficient market, each side taking opposing views on the future share price. Retail investors are typically long investors (betting the SP will go up) and are usually, though not always, small Mum and Dad investors like ourselves. However, Mum and Dad investors are afraid of shorters because, though many, we are small investors. Shorters, though fewer in number, are bigger investors and can drive the SP in a concerted way. Mum and Dad investors also do not act in concert (some of will sell if scared). When Mum and Dad investors are in a concerted manner, like the small investors in GameStop, they can overcome the influence of the shorters.