Let me just put it this way. BTC was a system designed by coders for coders. It was meant to be an interesting experiment. I don't think the "elders of bitcoin" foresaw that it would grow into what it is today. They were caught off-guard.
Someone was caught off guard, but it wasn't the 'elders'.
Oh here we go..attack of the Linux nerds!
OMG OMG the default bitcoin cleint's security sucks..OMG unencrypted wallet.dat is such a good idea!
Anyways, this is the standard response most of you give...so yeah..moving on.
Yeah, leaving tens of coins in an unencrypted wallet would be fucking stupid.