The developers of u-block explain in pretty great detail why this is not opt.

I would encourage you to read their explanation.

*optimal

For instance it doesn't block youtube ads. Arguably the single most important reason people have ublock.

That's false, it blocks all YouTube ads for me.

Also, original uBlock Origin didn't always block YouTube ads.

Adblocking with YouTube has gone back and forth. It's not about original vs lite.