zapper wrote:(...)
I think we can both agree though that if open source is a problem, proprietary software is a hellishly bad thing.
(...)
Personal stating: I see there not that much difference between non-free software and somewhat "open-source". So it is a personal decision what is used. On another level regarding the operating-system basics, that is a different thing. When we talk about software executed by the users, it stays their personal decision. Same way it is the decision of projects like Hyperbola to be strict for free, libre culture and community-driven efforts only.
It stays foremost critical when information is not communicated that open and need to be researched until being clear free, libre licensed and possible for audit, or the opposite. The critical point is most time this: Bunch of buzzwords and empty promises behind. But all of this is also off-topic here, so another discussion for sure.
We should also stop to characterize the existence of non-free software as "evil" as the mechanics behind is the problem and therefore the missing empowerment of people, even the power being taken away. So this is more of a generic point for society to think of - and if people want to endure this point as their own process for decisions is more and more reduced for their own "good". It all comes down to ignorance, not "evil". The last is the result and outcome when all thought-processing is stopped. And that was original idea of my posting: Free, libre software is living from people being part of, testing ideas and write documentations. For helping hands of community, not for awaiting the next release only because this brings again back the need of even more processes and therefore the false imagery in the heads for developers and users while those roles are not that static and within the spheres of free, libre culture described as fluid movement.
Every developer is also the user of the own system as alike every user can be also the developer of the own system. With empowerment people can also demand more in the direction of having free movement of software being before non-free, alike through reimplementation and reengineering for example. But the ground base thought is and stays technical emancipation.
Human being in favor with clear principles and so also for freedom in soft- and hardware!
Certainly anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices: For a life of every being full with peace and kindness, including diversity and freedom. Capitalism is destroying our minds, the planet itself and the universe in the end!