> there are all kinds of ways a malicious actor can and do manipulate stock prices that have exactly ZERO to do with the companies finances Over a time horizon

> there are all kinds of ways a malicious actor can and do manipulate stock prices that have exactly ZERO to do with the companies finances Over a time horizon of a year to a few years, short selling cannot artificially depress stock price relative to market. So if you are truly long it should make no difference and you should probably cash in by writing options.