So, I think I've dug as deeply into the #hachyderm drama as I need to, and settled on some conclusions.
Most basically, the best insights came from seeing conversations on another platform: discord.
Admins from both sides were talking. And as it's a chat platform, the engagement and conversation was clearly more direct, free, expressive and clarifying.
If the fediverse wants to be the new internet, seriously, it needs to growup and move on from just microblogging.
The "drama" isn't over. Because it's a process, and that's a good thing.
#hachyderm is currently reviewing their rules (and were prior to the blocks) and has always (it seems) invited feedback, participation and being pushed to be better.
They seemed a little salty that there wasn't more engagement in that philosophy (rather than blocks), and as you can guess, I appreciate the sentiment.