Some answers.
I think the “outdoor purists” are just as boring as the “indoor cheats.” Everyone a hater.
I think it’s not so much hate, more a concern that as more people see Zwift and Strava as what cycling is about, the more the local cycling level suffers. Less people joining clubs means clubs fold, less people to organise/marshall races means less races, makes it harder for racers to get into races. Which makes it a vicious circle, once a race or club goes they are usually gone forever, which is incredibly sad. Think that’s what upset a lot of people who’ve been cycling/racing for years, not so much hate, more a fear for the future of grass roots cycling.
But that’s the point, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. A lot of people use zwift for the winter as they don’t want to ride in bad weather. A lot of people feel awkward about making that first step to join a club. Getting to know people online first removes some of these barriers. Zwift is here to stay and clubs should embrace it. Clubs should use platforms like zwift to complement their offering. Set up a Zwift team and use it to promote the club. Smart clubs will do this, a great way to actually promote the club and increase membership. Other clubs will resist it and cause their own problems. Doesn’t have to be one or the other and it’s this purist mentality that I find hard to understand.