Every lost Bitcoin reduces the number of Bitcoins in circulation. The scarcer it gets, the higher the value per Bitcoin. So in a way every Bitcoin owner benefits from this.
I don't think this is true, the impact I mean. For the lost supply to influence demand wouldn't the market need to be aware of it? And the market can never be aware of the lost supply.
Maybe it's the fact that the fraction of people who would have had those coins are no longer participating in the market as sellers that really influences that supply vs. demand equation.
Any economists out there care to comment?
Satoshi Nakamoto: "Lost coins only make everyone else's coins worth slightly more. Think of it as a donation to everyone."
Just noticed this quote, what a clever comment from Satoshi.