The article is advocating against what the hedge fund was doing. not what the redditors are doing. Melvin Capital was the one short-selling, and they got royally fucked.

Had to look up short selling since I don't speak stonks, and I got this two facts from a quick search:

1. You're selling something you do not have.

2. Risk is unlimited since asset prices can climb to infinity.

And I thought nothing could beat having crude oil that you had to pay $40 for someone to get rid of it for you. At least you had oil.

They played with nothing expecting nothing or even less than nothing, hopefully, and the vengeful spirit of Adam Smith personally came to you to seize your funds since you can't manage them.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.