I've used linux sporadically throughout my life and only started using it daily in the last couple months. I've used ubuntu in the past but I can understand the reason to move away from commercial distributions. Since my knowledge of Linux is quite shallow, I have a ton of questions and a need to understand everything.

What is Debian and what makes it an appropriate choice for Linux Mint to switch over to this base?

Also, what values does the development of Debian have compared to Ubuntu?

I get the feeling that moving away from Ubuntu is a step in the direction of a more open source space away from corporate forced standards, is that accurate? If so, what development direction could this take for a project like Linux Mint?