The meanings of a fork

Each fork is an adaptation to a failure. Opinions will differ on the nature of the failure. The ability to fork is good. The fork itself may be good, under the circumstances. The circumstances are always unfortunate.

That's not to say that every project must avoid forks at all costs. Nothing made by humans can satisfy everybody. Failure to satisfy everybody is unfortunate but expected. If enough of those dissatisfied can work together on a fork to meet their own needs, that's a much better outcome than remaining dissatisfied.