Also, it's irrelevant whether you agree with me or not, because it's not going to change the fact that we have a free and open system where anyone can modify the code as they see fit and users are free to run whatever code they want.
Well, that's the end of your argument, isn't it.
Because several attempts have already been made to release code that, okay, doesn't steal the project, but destroys the network the project runs on, in favour of a re-designed network. And the XT attempt included code to prevent future hard forks that weren't Hearn approved. And no-one bought the premise that either of those protocol redesigns offered something valuable, and so the fork didn't happen.
And I'll stand by the market making that decision. But you have to stand by the fact that the market could make a different decision in future and that Core's implementation may not always be the consensus. Or admit you're a protectionist apologist. One of the two.
As for your more desperate point ("pursue a new, incompatible chain and create an altcoin"), pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease.
We both know it's a soft fork. We both know that means the chain is compatible, and certainly not new, it's the same chain. We both know that this means old clients can use old features, but not new ones. Hmmmmm, it's almost as if every other soft fork that's been activated has those properties, and Segwit is no different.
Wasn't even talking about Segwit. I was alluding to your recent posts along the lines of this one:
how come no-one is coding that up into a super Bitcoin-killing altcoin? They'd be rich, wouldn't they?
and again in this very thread:
Or, (and I've never heard a reply to this point) CODE UP YOUR BITCOIN KILLER AS A NEW CRYPTOCURRENCY.
You keep suggesting developers of alternative clients should pursue their own chain because you're terrified of a little competition on this one. I'm suggesting that post fork, all developers are welcome to tag along, follow the longest chain and keep releasing their own clients, that, while compatible with the new consensus, can still propose changes to the rules of the network. Post fork (whether soft or hard), it's not a zero-sum game if dev teams are willing to carry on competing. Free and open. Glorious.