Afaik Pixels come with the least bloat to work around amd also have some security features the GOS people like. Buying used or refurbished Pixel is currently the best you can do, so Google doesn't get any more money.

I get it, there are reasons, but the point stands that I(and apparently others) preferably would have nothing to do with a Google product, how is that an unreasonable opinon?

I'm currently stuck on a phone that I can't even root (afaik), but I am also not eager to buy a new one while this one works perfectly (and isn't ginormous like most newer phones). I might be more willing to swich to a new non-G phone but how it is now I try to sandbox as much shit as i can (or know of) or use alternatives where possible.

It also feels like an incredibly complicated topic on what you could and should do. And I consider myself at least somewhat tech literate. It feels frustrating and some of the elitism around it doesnt help.

If these people's priorities are to wait for for years until an expensive phone from Motorola is supported I think they need their heads examined, but that's just me.