I would like to point out that not all ppl who run knots do it because they believe opening up op_return is bad. Some ppl do it because they have been spooked by some core devs behaviours.

Some people switched to knots not bc of the change itself, but bc of the way core devs handled the whole discussion (arrogance, call to authority, technocracy, constant discredit of other party). They might be absolutely right on the change, but their public engagament has been horrible to say the least. Also their complete lack of self-reflection is staggering: "20% of the network is expressing dissatisfaction with us, well we surely have done absolutely nothing wrong and they must be all retards"). I think this is the biggest factor making ppl switch, core is harakiri itself big time with this behaviour