If our strategy to avoid "slavery" involves "normal people" taking the local-vs-managed choice seriously, we have already lost.

This choice is made for us. The deciding factors will be convenience and economics.

My sense is that just like Web 2.0 SaaS we are destined for servitude.

A better strategy is to play an assymetrical game IMO. Don't let your would-be master write the rules by which you play.