mentality in the name of sticking it to the rich guys. Apparently they don’t think rich guys are on the other sides of these bets right now, but I digress.
The repercussions on the stock market at large will be a net negative, IMO. If a stock is overvalued then it deserves to be shorted. It’s an important market mechanism to help ensure stocks are priced appropriately. If investors are afraid to short because a mob will be sent after them then that is not good for the market.
Bad things happen when stock prices drift (or skyrocket) away from the underlying values of their companies. History is full of examples.
IMO, the only silver lining is if this week draws more attention to the pump & dump and market manipulation of market participants that happens frequently- in particular by sophisticated & institutional investors.