TIL what the GAFAM empire is.

Besides that, I think the following quote is key:

Google realized that most XMPP interactions were between Google Talk users anyway. They didn’t care about respecting a protocol they were not 100% in control. So they pulled the plug and announced they would not be federated anymore

I never used Google Talk nor XMPP but I gather XMPP didn't have enough users to sustain itself.

Chat systems (and Twitter/Facebook similar platforms) need a very high amount of users to be "sustainable" because they are centered on individuals.

The fediverse doesn't need that many because is centered around meaningful discussions, having too many is even counterproductive because discussions derail into shitposting (look at reddit).

I agree with the blogger when they say

We should not try to include as many people as we can at all cost. We should be honest and ensure people join the Fediverse because they share some of the values behind it

Mainly because if we did, lemmy would go down the drain as much as reddit has done the last few years.

I want Meta blocked because I don't want their shit coming over here, much more than being worried about them trying to extinguish the fediverse, tho you can be sure they will indeed try.