How is that perverted? Shorting a stock is fundamentally no different than other types of debt.
Imagine an economy of 3 people, A, B and C.
A has $5.
B borrows $5 from A.
C borrows $5 from B.
A borrows $5 form C.
The economy started with $5 and $0 debt, the economy ends with $5 and $15 debt. Despite the fact that the society's total debt is now 300% the size of its economy, it is no different than how it started. Debt isn't inherently bad. Debt is a tool that allows us to collaborate.
Imagine an economy of 3 people, A, B and C.
A has $5.
B borrows $5 from A.
C borrows $5 from B.
A borrows $5 form C.
The economy started with $5 and $0 debt, the economy ends with $5 and $15 debt. Despite the fact that the society's total debt is now 300% the size of its economy, it is no different than how it started. Debt isn't inherently bad. Debt is a tool that allows us to collaborate.