There seems to be only two types of bitcoin miners: those with BIG PLANS (a.k.a. Investors) and those with BIG BALLS (a.k.a. Speculators). As can be expected, the ones with BIG BALLS are usually the loudest of the bunch, always chanting GOLD 2.0, GOLD 2.0, GOLD 2.0!!! But lets face it, if it wasn't for these highly specialized gold diggers, bitcoin would have not become anything more than an intricate web of programming code.
Unfortunately, these same BIG BALLS miners can just as easily become the downfall of bitcoin, especially as we get closer to reaching the "21 million bitcoins" landmark. Perhaps as early as 2016 we can expect an exodus of BIG BALLS miners as there wont be anything worthwhile left for them to mine (other than the alternative crypto-currencies, of course).
Fortunately, theres still hope, and it involves building a BTC-based economy from the ground up. Thats where the BIG PLANS miners come in. They are the ones who want to see bitcoins used primarily as a currency rather than a speculative commodity/asset. However, for that to become a reality, miners must begin to actively commission projects/startups that transact solely in BTC (without converting BTC back to USD, etc). It is the only way to increase BTC money supply beyond the initial monetary base of 21 million bitcoins.
If you are a BIG PLANS miner who wants to save the BIG BALLS miners from extinction, feel free to suggest a project/startup thats worth commissioning... Viva la BTC!!!