I think it's good to have other choices for nodes, each node runner can choose or even make his own version. I think bitcoin community should embrace this more even for fork consensus. About the topic, I don't think smaller blocks are viable, but again each node can vote with his node.
yes - so long they are compatible MAIN PROTOCOL - will work - at the end - MAJORITY CONSENSUS WINs - dnot what me or you say or our view - one thing not everyone too technical so long DEVs Luke or others offer tech code + option - noob node runner CHOOSE !!! the majority