I agree, it is an iterative process: the same happened for web browsers and generally internet a while ago.
The difference is the www had no idea where it was going or needed to get to. A cryptocurrency needs to, at the very least, be able to match that performance of what's already out there.
There are self-driving cars (e.g. google autonomous car) on the streets, but I bet you drive your own car at the moment, despite of your car doesn't match the performance of the self-driving car. And I think you are not displeased with your car, just because it's not autonomous... Everything needs time to get developed, to get widespread and to reach the mass adoption.
Lightning network is a bit similar to the self-driving car, because both are still under heavy testing just to be 100% sure that the technology will be the best available when they will go live.