SMB1's Input Swapping Ban will impact the game's future

Hi, I'm a longtime speedrunner and fan of speedrunning, especially Super Mario World and SMB1.
I think SMB1 is the greatest speedgame of all time, because it shows how a great community can push each other closer to perfection than anyone thought possible. It's the perfect example of what speedrunning is all about, and for that reason, I was concerned to learn about the input swapping ban, for 3 reasons. (I'm gonna try to share a unique perspective; some in line with what many others have voiced, and some new things too)

My 1st issue with the ban is one of conflict of interest. The current figureheads advocating input swapping being banned or allowed, respectively, are averge11 and Niftski. Even disregarding ill will between them, the world's #1 and #2 any% speedrunners (each of whom prefers to use the method they advocate for) have a clear and undismissable conflict of interest in this area. This is especially true because these are probably the two most likely people in the world to be the first to tie the TAS in SMB1 - an accomplishment that would be easier for either player if their side won out. The fact that not only one of the most prestigious world records in speedrunning, but maybe the most anticipated accomplishment in speedrunning history, is at stake for both of these players, introduces bias that can't be ignored.
Also, the moderation team necessarily has bias. I have great respect for the moderation team of SMB1 (as well as averge and Nifstki) for their knowledge and accomplishments. I have full faith that most (if not all) votes cast banning input swapping were primarily/entirely based on reasons extraneous to the opinions of, or conflict between, averge and Niftski. However, in such a tight-knit community, it's impossible that the mods are unbiased to one player or the other in some way, and it's unavoidable that these biases show themselves in such a small sample of 16 voters.

My 2nd issue with the ban is on its impact on the community. It's easy to say the input switching vote should be extended to the entire community. However, it's impossible to debate without including the animosity between averge and Niftski, which has already divided the community. Especially given the imbalance between Niftski's audience and averge's, bias is unavoiadble in a full-community vote, and therefore, resentment would be unavoidable after the fact.

Despite this, I think a full-community vote is the only reasonable course, because of my final concern: one on the health of SMB1 speedrunning, and the future of the game as a whole.
I think the community is what truly makes SMB1 great. Collaboration between runners, TAS-ers, creators, and fans is what's pushed this game to incredible heights. A fracture in the community would be the worst case, but I still think a community-wide vote is best. We need to trust leading voices to prioritize the game's health and future in their advocacy, and community members need to do the same with their votes.

As a long-time speedrunning fan and enjoyer, I've seen, and been a part of, communities of a lot of great speedrun games,. Some of these communities have boomed and grown, and some have died out and been forgotten. I've observed that this comes down to the big voices in the community caring less about the present -- their accolades, reputation, and recognition -- and more about the future of the game -- lanes for collaboration, lasting infrastructure, but most importantly, making the game accessible and exciting for new viewers and players, through good content and events, and good rules.
I think SMB1 does great at events, features great content, and has great infrastructure and potential for collaboration. However, I think its rules can still drastically help or harm the game's future.
This is the reason I think the allowance of keyboards is good, for example. Allowing keyboards and emulators makes the game more accessible for new runners, and easier and cheaper to stream and make content on.

For similar reasons, I believe input swapping should be allowed. I think one of SMB1's biggest opportunities for growth is how close it is to perfection. Being so highly optimized is what draws attention to the game, from chatter in speedrunning circles online all the way to coverage from news outlets. Every step SMB1 takes closer to the TAS means SMB1 reaches more people, who become fans, meaning more viewership, more event participation, more runners and content creators, and a better ecosystem for the game. Similarly, the closer we seem to perfection, the more interest is garnered, and by all appearances, banning input swapping is a step away from this achievement (furthermore, a step away for one of the most high-profile and promising prospects, without getting anyone else any closer).
More than this, though, I think input swapping should be allowed because it makes the game more accessible. If runners have more options, it's easier for everyone to push themselves, especially if they don't feel held back by an arbitrary divide; like they have to commit to one input method 100%, or like they're stuck using the input method they've played and practiced with in the past. Input swapping may not have been envisioned by the makers of SMB1, but neither were wall clips, or flagpole glitches, or TAS, or even LiveSplit, speedrun.com, or Discord. Many of these make speedrunning the way we know it, and improving in new ways, much easier, or even possible to begin with, and we celebrate them for that. Input swapping is much less clear, but I think it's good for the health and future of SMB1, so it should be allowed.

Obviously that's just my opinion. I suggest listening to the runners and experts who have committed unfathomably more time, effort, and love to the game, and know (and care) a lot more than I ever can. Personally, I think Kosmic should make a short video about this, to reach an even bigger and broader audience with unique perspectives, and because I need something to watch at dinner.
Thanks for reading, and thanks to every top runner, mod, TAS-er, and content creator; You're inspiring and admirable, and I'll probably, finally, try this run myself soon bc of that inspiration. (also congrats everyone on ACE!)


(i'd love to hear thoughts and opinions from everyone; If i missed any developments or said anything false lmk thanks)