There is no easy way to retain realm identity and server heritage while simultaneously providing every player on every server an experience like that of a higher-populated realm. Such a solution simply doesn't exist. Making Mythic raiding cross-realm at the start effectively erases the last vestige of server identity left in the game. Blizzard does not want to do this. What Blizzard does want to do is provide stop-gap measures to help dead/dying realms from dying off entirely. That's why they're actively connecting realms. As I've said repeatedly, I personally don't know if this is the best possible solution (I'd prefer giving players a free server transfer every 6-12 months) but I can at least view the issue from a lens that isn't so drenched in pointless cynicism that it barely registers as a valid opinion.