if Meta joins the Fediverse, Meta will be the only one winning. In fact, reactions show that they are already winning: the Fediverse is split between blocking Meta or not. If that happens, this would mean a fragmented, frustrating two-tier fediverse with little appeal for newcomers.

For me the fact that is can be fragmented and still fully functional is the best feature. Anyone that wants unified social media can have whatever meta gives them, anyone that wants to avoid meta can join instances that defederate them, and anyone that doesn't care can just not care. Not sure how this author concludes that the fediverse doing exactly what it was designed to will 'kill' it.