So we should only have BTC? HOw about not even having BTC and having nothing? (Just taking your argument further).

Which central authority would you like to pre-approve coins for release, the US Govt? (im sure they're already on it, and BTC isnt in their list.)

This is the free(est?) market here, people can invent whatever they want. This allows us to discuss and create lots of coins.

Some coins fail because they're stupid, some just because of CC, some because of bad timing or luck on the market. Some really good coins have been killed (CoiledCoin) by assholes, some almost killed by premine fiascos (Novacoin).

Itll all come out in the wash. Its great that there's so many new coins, but someone needs to setup a good altcoin directory cuz I cant even keep track of what new coins EXIST never mind what their features are - and then, most importantly - what the unintended side effects are. That last thing is the biggest problem with most alts.