One assumption I made is that there will be a continuous demand for self build PCs which will be an entry point for a lot where you can run your own operating system and own choice of hardware. My next assumption is that custom ROMs are gonna stick around or at least Linux phones will become usable in the future since tech savvy privacy people are interested in this. Then I hope the EU will continue to step up and the administration after Trump will support certain right to repair legislation. It doesn't need a giant group of people for a viable alternative to exist and I think there can be compromises between going stallman or giving up on ownership. Media servers and NAS for example are also really loved in a specific subset of people and I do not think people are willing to give up what they have. I get why you think the way you do and maybe I am too optimistic... I just think I'm not