” but you think Joseph is on the level of Rabbi Akiva? ”
what? lost you there… what does it have to do with being on the level of R’ Akiva. The discussion was about whether or not we are supposed to yearn for/daven for being killed al Kiddush Hashem. In the end you acknowledged that he was right, so how can you say he didn’t mean it?
And I have read through a lot of old threads. I see no reason to believe that he doesn’t mean it.
“and is that really the more important point?”
Yes, it is. Being dan l’kaf zchus is one of the most important Mitzvos and probably the one that will bring Mashiach and the lack of which is keeping us in galus.