Why are we so fascinated by Uber?

A poster child for disruptive change, the ride-hailing service has been taking its lumps in recent months – most dramatically Tuesday night, when chief executive Travis Kalanick resigned under pressure from key shareholders.

Uber’s impact is undeniable. Its name is now a verb that conveys how you’re getting from Point A to Point B. The company has fed America’s love affair with entrepreneurial efforts that surge onto the stage, breaking long-established rules as they go.

But it has also become something of a microcosm of issues the United States faces more broadly: low-cost service versus proper compensation for rank-and-file employees. A corporate culture that aggressively pushes for dominance – but also generates charges of sexism and sexual harassment. A business that offers people convenience – but makes more than a few of them ask if their patronage supports abusive practices.

That last point matters. Many people identify strongly with the brands they support. When those brands let them down, they share vocally on social media. That has a dark side. But it can also mean that when corporations misstep, they hear about it in a way that is hard to ignore – and may help drive reform.