A broader, but related question: so what is the proposed way for one to survive in a capitalistic system while aspiring to this extreme FOSS view where one just contributes one's energy without besmirching it with any thought of personal gain? I've had this question since decades, since Richard Stallman. At that time, I believe he had a position at MIT, so his bills got taken care of that way.

Also, more to the case in point, how do you know the contributor's solution is "inferior"? Isn't it equally possible that the current maintainer refused to give space to the new entrant lest they lose the grip on their position? I have seen this behaviour a lot in the corporate world.