[proactivesvcs]

How does it / will it pay for servers? This is a great question and I can guarantee if you set up an account somewhere, and start asking instance admins this question, you'll find out exactly how. I'd answer your question but you'll get much more organic answers and they'll answer you in a way you'll believe and understand far better than just from me.

The system is not, and was never, just for technology enthusiasts. The majority of people I chat with probably wouldn't know their RAM from their GPU and I wouldn't expect them to. Sure there are a lot of Linux/FOSS enthusiasts there, but they're the minority.

I don't know anyone trying to overthrow monopolies by running an instance because again, I say that not everyone's motivation for everything they do is for the acquisition of wealth.