Please explain how a softfork would cause a chain split. A pool ignoring/banning/rejecting blocks/communication means it diverted from the chain protocol which equals to a chain split in my point of view.
FTFYa hard chain split is about the nodes(users) doing something to cause 2 chains.
a soft chain split is about the pools doing something to cause 2 chains.
EG a soft chain split is even though nodes dont have to do anything. pools ignore each other purely based on a version number where the pools then decide to either join X or ignore X and build on Y
leading to the nodes that without doing anything end up following what they can happily accept
i just read your reddit summary and laughed my head off..
you do realise the only establishment causing drama are the portfolio of DCG (blockstream, btcc, coinbase, and more) with all their REKT campaigns, accusations, Pow killing proposals, deadlines, blackmails, bribes.
other non blockstream endorsed implementations are just plodding along not making threats and ven laughing at blockstreams attempt to get non-blockstream implementations to split, by simply saying 'no thanks w wanna stay as a peer network'
put it this way right now blockstream could make a 1merkle version that actually unites the community that can offer alot more features and set off a 6 month timeline. (afterall core think its ok to release 5 versions of software /year (0.13-0.13.1-0.13.2-0.14-0.14.1))
but blockstream motives are just to push the cludgy soft 2 merkle version and even if still veto'd in november will push on as the cludge version right upto the en of 2018 and try making it mandatory.
in short they cannot take no for an answer or dcide they should do something better