Here is a container of DIR.
Which is called a pen! Hmmm.

Here's is a container of DIR.

But it's called a pen! Hmmm.

I guess most Windows users don't know what DIR is or even where to use it.

"Do you use DIR?"
User: "Do I use what? And don't call me dear."

Opening a folder in Explorer automatically shows the contents, saving the need for an extra step.

Yes, a directory is a list of items. Like a telephone directory. A folder is a container of items.

In 2009 I added Folder to the Wikipedia page Directory (computing) Explaining the Folder Metaphor in both English and German (Verzeichnis/Ordner). My clarification has been tweaked and altered slightly to bring it into line with Wikipedia standards, but it has stood the test of time.

I always use the term folder in Linux circles when referring to a container of things. It's useful to stress the importance of the user interface, which is often misunderstood by many there. Be proud!

I joined Github and others, years ago to report bugs in software. But now I rage quit Github. No more bugs from me unless you move your application to a more acceptable platform. I suggest every bug reporter user do likewise. Screw Microsoft.

It's clear we don't want US spyware.

Me in shop: I want to buy a robot vacuum cleaner. Do you have one of those sweary ones?

I might be an idiot, but I'm not going to use a Mac.

This meme also perpetuates the myth that to use Linux you must be an IT person. I just use it as a user.

Great. Now everyone will be copying Apple's foldable idea.

Managing digital information today is a horrible mess of silos and big business driven incompatibilities. It often drives people to use PDFs, as there is nothing appropriate. Blame the software/businesses, not the victims/users.

I blame the Linux gatekeepers, keeping people on Windows. By pushing out misinformation to Linux newbies who ask a question online, and scaring them away.

I agree with the OP. But swap the term "newbie" for "casual user" or "non IT user", and more people would agree. Even the nerdiest IT Pro was a newbie whenever they use a distro for the first time. Avoid the term "normie" too, as people have different ideas of what normal is. There are more non IT, power users who have a deep knowledge of their applications, than all Linux users put together.

So this discussion is all around a sloppy choice of terminology.