The idea:  Bitcoin is mature enough that it really needs to be tested against attempts at disruption.  This would include attempts to create forks and to seed  malicious versions of the software.  Other attempts would actively create Satoshi dust, inflate the block chain, flood the network, and just in general, disrupt its smooth functioning.  The benefit of course would be to reveal weaknesses now so they can be addressed.  The alternative feels like just sitting around, waiting for the inevitable attack and not being truly battle tested.

I don't know, is this happening already?  There have been all kinds of attacks related to exploiting the Bitcoin system for personal gain, but how about attacks aimed at hurting or causing a lack of trust in the system?  Would attacks of this nature be a positive development for Bitcoin?