I like NPR as much as the next person, but it is often used as a propaganda tool, so I think it's valid to question the underlying reasons behind publishing stories and the slants they take.

And yeah, it sounds like NPR should have picked up on the maker community here. Articles which precede this one by years bring up Naomi Wu. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/iron-lung-maker-community

Given this, I think it's fair for Ms. Wu to have a hot take on this.

Highly recommend reading Propaganda by Ed Bernays. I saw it recommended on HN years ago, so I bought and read it -- it really helped make me a smarter consumer of news.