Yes it is the dominant implementation, and I currently like the core developers, but human nature being what it is, at some point there will be some key developer who determines who gets added and who gets kicked from the core repo who turns arrogant and ignores social consensus. Yes that is not the case now but don't miss the point.
Now, a new point. I like the idea of super soft forks. [...]
Both are fair points.
Being forked also doesn't mean the world ends. You just have to understand what you're getting yourself into and accept the risks with as much mitigation as you can.