Really doesn’t matter to be honest. Whichever distro you choose, you’ll be able to program somehow. Pop_Os! is a good bet for graphics cards issues though, so I’d say roll with it.

They’re “complaining” about unique qualities of their art being used, without consent, to create new things which ultimately de-value their original art.

It’s a debate to be had, I’m not clearly in favour of either argument here, but it’s quite obvious what they’re upset with.