i think a big part of the backlash isn't about math per se and it's about what 'work' or 'a job' are supposed to be.
when mathematicians complaining about losing the part of the job that they love, people think "if you love doing it, why is anybody paying you? you're describing a hobby."
when mathematicians complaining about losing the part of the job that they love, people think "if you love doing it, why is anybody paying you? you're describing a hobby."