But it still forks ad finitum? Why don't build on a sound foundation? Look at all the different layers built atop.
Discussion
Who cares? It's open source and permissionless. The important thing is ability to opt out.
If you don't like an update you can swap your Monero for a different crypto and no one can stop you. Or you can get together with others that don't like it and fork the code.
Show me what Bitcoin layer I can use right now that gives me strong default privacy, cheap transactions, and doesn't give up sovereignty over my money
You sound like Roger ver. Whateva fits you. Use your 'by default' "privacy" coin. No worries on my side here. Lightning, liquid, ecash, swaps, coinjoin is just the beginning. We will see what monero offers in five years.
This is your privacy on "lightning" Mr Wallet of Satoshi
❌ amounts
❌ receiver
❌ self custodial
Lightning doesn't have strong default private. It was designed around fast and cheap payments for retail with privacy as an afterthought. Receiving privacy is bad. And 95% of users are on custodial wallets that see everything anyways (like you).
✅ amounts
❌ receiver
✅ self custodial
Liquid only hides amount and is custodial.
✅ amounts
❌ receiver
❌ self custodial
Coinjoins hide nothing, they obfuscate ownership, but everything is visible. Expensive, slow, and tedious too.
❔ amounts
❔ receiver
✅ self custodial
Ecash is the only one with really good privacy, but too bad it's custodial and mints can print unbacked tokens
✅ amounts
✅ receiver
❌ self custodial
Monero hides amounts and addresses completely and is self custodial 🥱🥇
✅ amounts
✅ receiver
✅ self custodial