Is the problem of content blockers using rule lists? Or, is the issue that Chrome proposes to limit the number of rules. Quickly looking at Safari there isn't this limit to the number of rules.
I understand change being a problem and maybe uBlock Origin can't work in the new Safari model. But, could a new project do just a well based on similar blocking ideas?
I believe ad blockers like uBlock Origin also do some dynamic detection of behavior so that certain types of ad-serving that come from hosts you do not want to block. CBS Sports, for example, requires special handling -- in Google Chrome, accomplished by a separate extension for uBlock Origin -- to properly block ads on their site without destroying login and video functionality. This kind of blocking cannot be performed with host lists.
https://blog.chromium.org/2019/06/web-request-and-declarativ...
Similarly, Chrome's initial proposal suggested a limit of 30k, which has since been revised upwards to 90k to 120k based on feedback.
I wouldn't say the article is wrong, just that a workaround exists.