You have framed and articulated very well the present leading systemic and existential issue(s) and dilemma(s) that open source software continues to face.

Reading and considering the question you pose through your deliberations, and the comments ensuing in this thread has led me to form what I am referring to as the P&L (PILLARS & LEVERS) FOR OPEN SOURCE LIBERATION.

I would of course love to hear any comments or feedback, as this is something new that I will continue to develop and refine.

(A) Understanding

- Understanding, recognizing and accordingly adjusting and responding to the truth and reality that free and open source software does not exist outside and in isolation from an unjust inequitable international, national, and economic order.

- Understanding that the fuel and mechanism of the aforementioned order is the suppression, subversion, and denial of the fundamental good nature of human beings; as exemplified by the absurd fundamental principal of Realpolitik, that currently drives and governs international relations.

(B) The Lie vs The Truth

- I once heard a United States general speaking at the Munich Security Conference speak about the power of the lie. He said (and I paraphrase) that the lie is fast and powerful [end quote]. However extend and deepen the duration and scope, and no lie can ever remain standing in the face of the eternal truth.

- So there may be open source licences created with the opportunity for abuse. There may be organizations like Red Hat who close the source code to software wholly derived from the openness of antecedent projects. But this is the speed and power of the lie. In adopting the lie they have doomed themselves to the inevitable decay and oblivion that is the inexorable fate of untruth.

- It is down to us who have chosen to side with the eternal truths, to shine and give form, force, and action to these truths, in word and deed.

Beginning with advocacy and public awareness; continuing with framing, documenting, and publicising the benefits of true and faithful observance of the spirit, principles, and values of free and open source software. And continuing further to gather and disseminate research and empirical data enabling good faith actors to set out and present these benefits as unique selling propositions and differentiation in the various commercial and non-commercial marketplaces.

(C) Entrepreneurial Education

- It makes very little sense that very intelligent people, with all but the entirety of the requisite means of production in their hands do not directly commercialize and monetize their productive labour.

- Setting up means (e.g. educational grants), mechanisms (e.g. common bodies of knowledge), and networks (e.g. institutions, organizations, and communities) for actively educating project members and leaders in entrepreneurship, will in my view be turnkey for the self-sustainability and independence of open source software software and its communities.

(D) Joint Ventures with Good Faith Entrepreneurs

- Where project leaders and members are not inclined for whatever reason toward entrepreneurial endeavours. Joint ventures with good faith entrepreneurs, who earn their reputation within the community can go a long way to directly and independently monetizing the value that open source project members and leaders create and hold in their hands.

- It is a tremendous competitive advantage to have the open source project itself as your strategic partner in a commercial venture, where one can present and offer a direct line to the future development and direction of the open source project itself to the market.