This is a really funny summary, to be fair to purism they are now a Benefit Corp, and they had some influence with Intel, their requests for switching off the ME by default actually resulted in internal buzz around a "ME-less BIOS".
Then the "NSA off switch" was discovered and they were able to do FW BIOS patches for their products, without Intel's help, permission or involvement.
Even as far back as 2011 I could have compromised, released some SBC design, made some cash, established a business, and funded EOMA68 with it.
Or made some other compromise, done something a la fairphone or etc etc and got up and running that way.
The risk was, getting sidetracked by running such a business, instead of focussing on EOMA68.
Or, being criticised for compromising, undermining the whole purpose of the exercise.
What can you do, eh?
L.
Frankly we need more people who will not compromise and will do what is right for the world, the future and for the love of God, what is good for freedom and justice alike!
My point being, I thank you for going full freedom, integrity is a lost art in our world it seems like.