When BTC is trading at over $1000, they'll change the rules regarding dust transactions so that it's value is sub-cent again.
Logic.
Sounds a bit like what happened in cypress tbh. I honestly don't think the attraction of bitcoin was that "they" could change the rules as they go.
If that sounds "like Cypress" then you probably need to read more.
Example.
Today in v0.8.2 the default min fee on low priority tx is 0.1mBTC (10,000 S) and thus the dust threshold is 5,430 S.
Current exchange rate ~$100 thus the min fee on low priority tx is ~$0.01 and dust threshold is ~$0.005 (half a penny).
Some day in the future the exchange rate has risen to $2,500 and thus some future version of the client has lowered the min mandatory fee on low priority tx to 0.004 mBTC (400 S). This makes the dust threshold 217 S. The purchasing power of those amounts are still ~$0.01 and $0.005.
Now how exact is that "like Cypress"?
Maybe. But a currency that requires people to 'read more' is never going to be a currency that's widely accepted.
Here's how it's like cypress: a small group of people can suddenly decide to change things without consumers having any recourse. Currencies aren't about 'reading more' they are about usability and trust. Me and the rest of the world don't want to read more. We want to buy and sell stuff. Any hurdle you put in front of us is to the detriment of your currency.
It doesn't have to be like cypress to put people off but if it feels/sounds like it people will be put off. External intervention/meddling sets off my spidey senses. If you can't figure out a way to deal with the dust with out banning it then we may as well give up now. As someone posted above the 'dust' becomes significant if bitcoin's price rises. Makes me laugh that one of the accepted solutions is that people should stop using bitcoin and use litecoin instead. Seriously, I think some of you can't see the forest for the trees. You are dooming this currency.
Here's a saying I've always found to be true: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
imho that's what's happening now.
Look at the poll results. I'm not alone.