> Moreover, I think the article author would call for those leaders to step down if he thought that would be effective.

You are welcome to believe that. However putting words in other people's mouth doesn't lead to a productive conversation and so is against the site guidlines.

> Rochko wanted to step down, which forced Mastodon to come up with a succession plan. So I'm not sure why praise is due for this.

Because Rochko chose not to go with picking a new BDFL to replace him. Instead he setup a system where there will be no BDFL, which is what is being praised. I'm not sure why you are struggling with this concept so much...

> You ignored my question, though: "how do you know that Rails and WordPress don't already have their own succession plans?"

I ignored the question since it was clearly made in bad faith. I never made such a claim.

Edit: I'll also posit that secret succession plans don't build the same trust or provide the same benefits as a public plan.