Linux

1. I usually do the updates in the evening when turning off my laptop. I click "update all" (or so) and then choose "shut down" in the selection that appears at the bottom. Then I can leave the laptop and it will automatically reboot to install the updates and then shut down completely.
2. Yes, that number of updates is normal
3. I don't know of a way to (un)select specific "system"-packages within Discover
4. The updates are usually fine. I can't think of any case where a routine update caused trouble for me. I prefer getting the security updates (and other improvements) quickly. Just once, I intentionally delayed the updates for a few days before an important deadline, where I needed my computer to work and wouldn't have had the time to deal with issues

Should I just run all these updates as they come up?

For best practices related to security, yes.

Do you all run these updates as they pop up?

I'm on a Fedora-derivative that does automatic updates in the background. It applies those at least once a day.

Are you all getting this many updates on Fedora

Yes. This is standard procedure on all (semi-)rolling release distros.

or is it something specific to me and the apps I’m running?

Nah.

Is there a way to de-select some updates if I don’t want to run all of them?

I believe it's possible. But this Fedora maintainer mentions the following (and I quote):

"Fedora is a major-version stable system, which means that it isn't guaranteed safe to cherry-pick updates. The only reliable state for a major-version stable system is "fully updated". While rpm can detect major-version changes in dependencies, it doesn't detect minor-version changes in dependencies. That means that a package that you cherry-pick might appear to have all of its dependencies met from rpm's point of view, but it might crash at runtime because those dependencies don't have features that are required by the application."

Should I ignore daily updates

It's your PC. You do you. I would personally advise against it.

and install them less frequently, say monthly?

I have noticed that updating once every couple of days is relatively standard. I suppose it's 'fine'~ish as long as it doesn't exceed two weeks. But monthly would definitely be stretching it. At that point..., perhaps considering a distro with a slower release cadence makes more sense.

Meaning, I’m not super interested in being the glitch finder. If there’s a bug in an update, I’d rather have somebody else find it first and have the update patched.

So..., if that's what this is all about, then the following is worth noting:

• On Fedora, there's the so-called Rawhide branch. This is basically their unstable branch and where most of the actual testing happens. You'll (mostly) only receive updates that have already been tested in Rawhide. So, bugs/glitches and whatnot are pretty rare.
• But, if this is still your concern, then perhaps you should consider a distro with a slow release cadence. Which, basically comes down to picking one between Debian (on the Stable branch), openSUSE Leap and Ubuntu.

General Fedora feedback: the discover update app feels lacking here. As a new user, I expect more of a description about what each application/service is as well as a clickable link to read more about the app and the update.

That's because Discover handles 3 types of updates.

1. Applications from a "Store". These are the ones you are expecting with descriptions and such.
2. Packages from the repository of the distro. These are the ones you have listed. They are "technical" package names, not limited to applications. Can also be libraries, dependencies and system stuff.
3. Firmware. If you have enabled the Linux Firmware option in Discover, you will get presented with special firmware packages.

1. Nah. Set the frequency to weekly or monthly or something you don't need to do daily. I do monthly.
2. Yeah, there's a lot of updates and that's a good thing
3. Probably
4. Yes