This narrative that we should shift blame on the shorts for the poor performance of the stock is not entirely accurate and probably a bit too simplistic. Sure, the shorts might be responsible for creating extra volatility but also remember that every day every one in the world has the ability to buy this stock and yet, the share price has gone down the drain for months. 

One has to realise that at the present stage of the company, there is a lot of risk in the project. Everyone might view the range of probabilities attached to each potential outcome differently and therefore have different views on whether the current share price is a bargain or not.

Larger companies have stronger balance sheets and more established and proven business models. Hence, there is a lot more visibility into the future and therefore, less risk. This is not necessarily the case for HPQ. As much as management have portrayed the verticals and their value propositions (especially in an environment where Si prices are going through the roof), we are still in the early innnings here with no proven business models yet. As management works towards derisking the project, you'll see more interest in the shares as well as a different crop of investors.

Just thought one needs to be a bit more balanced in viewing this and that ranting about shorts distracts from thinking objectively about the situation. Hope it helps and please don't take offence as there's no intention to be malicious here. I'm also a HPQ shareholder sitting tight with a significant position.