>I don't like its design, I want to opt out of it in favor of something better
Others design were already tested extensively, and the one that stuck was systemd, don't you already stopped to think that the "better design" is the one that systemd are currently using?
Why are you even using Linux to begin with? Other OS designs have already been tested extensively, and the one that stuck was Windows. Didn't you consider that Windows is the better OS for your needs?
My criteria for a good init system design do not align with Lennart's, or with Red Hat's. It's not winner-take-all in principle, even if it approaches being so in practice.
Others design were already tested extensively, and the one that stuck was systemd, don't you already stopped to think that the "better design" is the one that systemd are currently using?