Haven't been here in quite some time, but one of the "Ubuntu MATE Community summary" emails finally caught my attention with this topic. I agree with your statement @Wimpy, that's really the only two choices that any of us have. For those of us who lack the time, or desire to get involved, which is the majority of us unfortunately, we do mostly enjoy the direction active contributors are taking the project, or we wouldn't be using the end product.
I understand the philosophy behind Snaps, and I can see it's benefits in many situations, as you well pointed out one.
However, I find the idea of a software developer pushing updates to my system without my consent a violation of basic security protocols. Yes, most applications are maintained and packaged by the same developers, whether it be a deb or snap package. Yes, the snap version is probably more current in fast moving applications like Chromium. And if I don't trust snap packages from the Ubuntu team, then why am I using Ubuntu at all right?
But what I don't understand, is why the end user is not given the choice to give consent before the snap packages are updated. Would it be so difficult to have a application like Software Updater notify the end user that their snap packages are out of date and need to be updated, and then give the end user the choice to allow or disallow the update? The end result would be the same whether we are speaking of snap or deb packages, the user would either allow the updates, and have a well maintained system, or reject the updates and suffer the consequences.
I've read the rhetoric from the camp that believes the typical end user is not computer literate enough to properly maintain their systems, and how pushing updates to their system through snap packages can properly maintain the system for them. Perhap there is some validity to that argument, especially for security updates, but I still feel that the end user should have the choice, whether or not they know what the right choice is.
I suppose you have probably been thinking "Why don't you get involved and do something about it" the whole time that you have read this reply. Unfortunately, I to am one who does not have the time to be involved in any more projects, life is full.
So as one who works for Ubuntu, please allow me to bounce my concerns off you, in hope that you might consider them as you help shape the future of Ubuntu.
Thank you for reading Martin, and thank you for making Ubuntu!