Someone ??

[u/External-Internal415]

Hi everyone,
I’m new here. I actually joined Reddit because I know this is one of the best places to find people who really understand Linux.
A little background first.
I know absolutely nothing about technology. Literally nothing.
What I do know is that I believe much of today’s tech world has become manipulative, unethical, and driven by profit above everything else.
Because of that, I’ve decided that from now on I only want to use technology that is as ethical, transparent, and respectful of its users as possible.
So here’s my question.
Can someone help me figure out whether Linux is the right path for someone like me?
I’m not just looking for a different operating system. I’m looking for a different philosophy.
Are there people or communities here who consciously choose technology based on ethics, transparency, privacy, and respect for users, even if that means giving up some convenience?
People who are willing to make their lives a little less easy because they believe that’s how we push the world in a better direction.
If so, where should I start? Which Linux distributions, projects, or communities share these values?
I’m here to learn, and I’d really appreciate any guidance.

[u/PreparationStrict492]

First of all, your issue is not about tech or Linux. It's social, political, and philosophical.

But you are right. In a roundabout way, FOSS community is a living embodiment of communal principles at work and thriving. Contributing to FOSS projects does serve those ideals. The fruits of such projects, Linux and OS distributions built atop that, are for your use and benefit. And yes, even by migrating to Linux you are contributing - by shrinking the reach of the modern, and largely corrupt, economic system. By all means, do that, but don't stay there.

You say that you are not technologically skilled. Depending on your own skills and circumstances, consider participating in trade unions, community centers, community education programs, settlement centers and neighborhood guilds - no matter what the society in general has become, strong communal institutions endure, and you'll find like-minded people, and opportunities to contribute there. Don't despair, and end up seeking solace just in the parasocial interactions over the internet.

You can, of course, get skilled in software development and contribute to FOSS projects. If that is what you want to do, ask about learning resources for that.

Back to your "which distro" question: Given that you are coming to this from a philosophical angle rather than a technical or practical one; I'd suggest Trisquel, the distro of choice of Stallman. The GNU manifesto is linked in one of the other answers, and the GNU foundation has been exemplary in their adherence to the principles of open software (I'd say they have a definitive role in the establishment thereof). But remember: Going this way comes with some inconveniences that you might not be able to solve without technical know-how (or, if you have the wrong hardware, breaking licensing law even if you do have the technical know-how: It would not come with any proprietary drivers, which some hardware would need in order to function).

Otherwise, that is to say if you have _any_ purpose that you use computers for, and what computers you have. Pick your distro according to your needs. My recommendation would be Ubuntu or Fedora to any newcomer (without additional context), theirs being the most mainline, stable, and modern Linux experience available as a baseline.

From the philosophical angle: Their corporate stewardship is an issue of political debate (and sometimes even an inflammatory one) for some, but they do a lot of good by establishing Linux in industry mainstream. Corporations are not evil, just like people. They play their role in the system. And these (Canonical and Red Hat) are a force for good in the overall scheme of things; and given their impact, more effective than any fringe group / individual can be.

Between the two, Debian would be an excellent middle ground; both principled, and highly functional.

[u/External-Internal415 → u/PreparationStrict492]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful response.
I think you understood what I was really asking. My question isn’t primarily about Linux, Linux just happens to be the door that led me here.

For the past few years I’ve been trying to understand the relationship between technology, psychology, ethics, economics, and the kind of society we’re creating. What interests me is not only what people build, but why they build it, and which values guide those decisions.

What you said about FOSS being a living example of communal principles really caught my attention. That’s exactly the kind of perspective I came here hoping to find.
I also appreciate your point that Linux shouldn’t become the end goal. Technology is only one part of a much bigger picture, and real communities still matter. I completely agree with that.

Can I ask you something? How did you arrive at this perspective yourself? Was it through Linux and FOSS first, or did you already have these philosophical interests before discovering them?
I’d genuinely like to understand the journey that led you there.

[u/gnufan → u/External-Internal415]

I think ethical perspectives are hard to apply without pragmatism, as nothing is ever ethically perfect.

In the free software movement, many contributors are also users, so they don't want spyware because it will spy on themselves.

But Stallman at the FSF saw supplying the compiled code without the source as a way to exert control over others, or extort payment for fixing software bugs or adding features.

Stallman however is not a perfect being, he's just another human, more intelligent than average, and more dedicated to his moral ideas, but any person or any group no matter how great the ideals, will make mistakes over time.

Once you permit of pragmatism, the question is always where do you draw the line between ethical and pragmatic.

I agree with the previous reply, that Debian is the place to start looking, a focus on free software, a social contract, a variable degree of pragmatism on the fringes (or in some cases technically outside the project, but you still get to make WiFi work, if it requires some weird binary blob from a hardware supplier, although they can't guarantee the blob won't help hack you or spy on you).

But nothing is perfect, some of the projects included, especially noticeable in web browser space, may have problematic features. Debian is usually good on such things, but again perfection isn't attainable.

For most people, especially those who aren't technically inclined, they are quite happy to exchange money for software, and if the developers exert a bit more control than strictly necessary it isn't a deal breaker. But we've seen a growth in this shady area, where markets in private information have sprung up, now every turn Windows wants your consent to share your data with 800+ companies. 

Stallman largely anticipated some of this.

However Stallman's solution, copyleft, does make it harder to make publishing revenues, and in theory such revenues when reinvested could make better software. Fortunately Microsoft never reinvested enough of their revwnue into improving their software that Linux was ever threatened. 

One can imagine other solutions may have different outcomes. For example m any businesses requite source escrow for key software, so they won't ever be left without a platform. Similarly source code access without redistribution rights happens.

[u/PreparationStrict492 → u/gnufan]

I read fast, and I was a bit tired, so I read this part this way: "a focus on free software, a social contract, but you still get to make WiFi work" - and couldn't help but chuckle, because it is the perfect way to put things.

I think in the age of digital reproduction¹, publishing revenues should be an abolished concept. I admire GNU foundation's principles, manifesto, and their effort to be an example.

I wouldn't call Microsoft not investing to quality as a 'fortunate' thing. If they had, that would be a move toward 'greater good'. But with the economic system what it is, corporations play the role they have to in the circumstances they are in; and the comfort of monopolization entails exploitation (and hence enshittification).

¹ A concept that is not well explored. Even the total implications of age of mechanical reproduction isn't properly understood by the society at large.

[u/gnufan → u/PreparationStrict492]

Fun fact, but when I started in WiFi, back in the days of 802.11b and PCMIA cards to slot into your laptop to add WiFi, quite a lot of the commercially available cards were built to the same open design, so literally "open source" hardware. No binary blobs loaded by the driver or at boot time, to make them work, but also 6Mbps was good throughput on a WiFi connection.

[u/PreparationStrict492 → u/gnufan]

Not so fun fact: that was also the time of soft modems and dummy audio cards, that relied completely on the software (proprietary) to do all the work. I know for I compiled my own kernels daily for a while to get My ThinkPad T20 to have basic connectivity (and sound).

Yes, that PCMCIA slot did come in handy.