Yeah, scientists are point-missing dummies who think that the images that telescope will produce are of no value next to images of the telescope unfolding. Far better to have internet randos who surely aren't dummies running things.
When you think of the Hubble, do you think of "product porn" shots of the telescope itself, or the spectacular images and science it produced?
Likewise, for Voyager/Cassini/Huygens/etc? Don't remember any selfies from those. We merely had to settle for the spectacular, never-before-seen images of other worlds. Guess they were failures. :-(
How often do you look at exterior photos of the Hubble?
Secondly, do we collectively as smart people honestly care what the ivermectin crowd thinks about exploring the cosmos?
It makes it easier when you go back five years later and ask for more money if people can see the multi-million dollar toy they paid for.