I'd like to suggest that in the future when you face a similar goal you start with the why first and then go on to what and how following the advice presented in this video?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4I think it's a much more powerful introduction if your audience can first emotionally connect to what you are introducing.
That's a great point (and a great presentation). In an earlier draft of the article, I actually did start with the "why." That draft focused more on the creation of Bitcoin and its reason for existence. Unfortunately, my text editor crashed (and I stupidly hadn't saved the file) taking not just that draft, but every other document I had open with it. When I rewrote the post, I decided to scuttle some of the rationale and just get straight to the "what."
In truth, I actually think the substance of my second draft was better (at least for what we were trying to accomplish, which was a digestible way of understanding the basics of Bitcoin), but if I could do it again, I'd likely start with more of the rationale, as you pointed out.
Actually -- maybe the why would be a worthy article in and of itself. I could reach out to the community and to those involved deeply with the project for their take on why they are involved with Bitcoin, why it's important and why it needs to exist. Thoughts?