I don't mind so much the fact that short selling exists (even if...

I don't mind so much the fact that short selling exists (even if shorters are likened to the soul sucking dementors from Harry Potter). They are still just matching a buyer and seller so theoretically, both parties went into the transaction willingly and the shorter can lose just as easily. They are selling at the current amount but MUST buy it back (so yes, effectively borrowing). What about borrowing money to take a long position though? Would that not be the same thing but in reverse?

Whoever can do the research and find a definitive answer for how much shorting/bots have affected market trends would be a very smart cookie - too many variables to consider and it'd be near impossible to isolate unfortunately. Looks like I'm holding for the long term now. Will take any dividends and hope my capital comes back to a reasonable level.