This seems like a problem with the kernel development model. In the Linux kernel, unlike other open-source projects, every part of the kernel needs a "maintaine

This seems like a problem with the kernel development model. In the Linux kernel, unlike other open-source projects, every part of the kernel needs a "maintainer" who decides what gets merged, and does the merging. Sort of a "build master" (from the olden corporate waterfall days of yesteryear). If the "maintainer" retires or becomes unavailable, the module is put on ice. Nothing can be added because there's no "maintainer" to do it. Meanwhile, in other open-source projects, when something is broken, you just fix it, and don't necessarily wait for the approved individual to give you the green light.