What the heck happened to EA’s public image?

EA should not have any reputational issues. It is just people trying to figure out the best way to improve the world. What could be controversial about that?

Even before the whole FTX thing, EAs were being vilified on social media and even in academia. Is there some kind of psychological angle I am missing? Like a cognitive dissonance the critics are experiencing that they are not doing more, or some other kind of resentment?

Should we even care, or just try to ignore it and go about our business?

I think it is more important than ever that EA causes attract new mega donors, and it is going to be tougher to do that if EA has a negative public image, justified or not.

I am even embarrassed to use the words effective altruism anymore in conversation with friends and family. I would rather avoid the controversy unless it’s really necessary.

If these questions have already been addressed somewhere, I would appreciate any references.