Part of me wonders are these 51% attacks being done to create a community of fear that we "need asics" to defend ourselves against these attacks?
While I agree that we can't discount manipulation in our current market state, i disagree that ASICs are being developed to "defend" ourselves. ASICs are a product of financial greed and it is as simple as that.
With regards to 51% attacks, again it is nothing more complicated than a straightforward move to profit. In case you aren't aware, the 51% attacks modified the blockchain to make it seem that the attackers had millions worth of BTG when in reality they did not. The "scare" is just a side effect.