This fails to differentiate a "standard" from simply a "specification" (of a format, protocol, language...). I.e. we don't say "PostScript standard", but rather a "PostScript specification".

All of the claims they make apply to any specification, and yes, divergence is necessary to make progress.

A standard is a commonly agreed to specification, frequently ratified in one or another international organization (ISO, IETF, ECMA, W3C...). The main value of a standard is in ensuring interoperability where that matters more than all the other concerns raised.

Eg. we'd never have much of the internet if people didn't simply settle on the IP (v4) protocol.