I think half the story here is not just the role of r/wallstreetbets but also the curious phenomenon of shows like Mad Money and their decline. My general take

I think half the story here is not just the role of r/wallstreetbets but also the curious phenomenon of shows like Mad Money and their decline. My general take on these shows is that you get a bunch of men in their 30s, put them in a gym where the blood is flowing and they’re thinking about how their life compares, and put a TV in front of them with stock advice. Bam! Manipulation. If you had a short position and a TV show, wouldn’t you want to convince other people that your short position is correct? And if you could mobilize more people to take a long position, couldn’t you make money that way, too?