I think not switching is also empowering. It is the active choice that we want people to make. The decision either way is less important than the process of meking it. We need all the active node runners we can get!

Not switching is a choice, yes, but the empowering part is the configuration settings that come with Knots. As I understand it, you’re not really abandoning anything on Core except for the lack of configurability.

But those are all "just choices" too. The availability of choices combined with actively making choices is what is empowering the Bitcoin users. I am all for Knots being available and actively maintained and used. Makes the network stronger. Just not gonna use it myself.

Yep. Decentralization is important. It offers choices.