The markets are not a public utility, they have owners (I own a teensy, weensy piece of NASDAQ (NDAQ), for instance). The owners can do what they want, within regulations. Use whatever metaphor works for you, but after 1987, it was thought to be a good idea to have an automated breather so that we can get our collective heads back in the game instead of panic-selling.

There is, however, no "liking" or "disliking" market direction. It's automated, with clearly-outlined rules. There's no manipulation; if A, then B.