I think that if we see blocks fill up and the network starts functioning poorly, we are going to see a change pushed out far quicker then any of us ever imagined.
Indeed. Theory is theory, lips will flap endlessly while they can. First sign of pain, opinion will go way lopsided.
what pain? the BS guys have withstood an onslaught of adverse community opinion and afaic they aren't backing down. they have a fiduciary responsibility to make either or both of their products, SC's or LN, work. and with gmax at the helm issuing orders, i don't see how any of the other guys break away.
We don't need them for every one else to realize what we need to do to fix the network immediately if it breaks. XT may get some very quick uptake.