I don't believe it will ever be as critical as the creation of the internet TBH (just simply because everything ties back to the creation of the internet, including blockchain technologies), but I do believe it will be within a short list of greatest inventions/concepts within the modern world.
I think we're only going to see more and more applications for the use of blockchains, and further advancement/investment in implementing the blockchain in more and more ways.
After attending Devcon4 and seeing talks on this subject in more detail I can see blockchain tech having a huge impact on what ever becomes the new internet!
Literally just going through Angel.co, you can see the amount of BlockChain based startups increasing on a monthly basis.
https://angel.co/blockchainsIt's definitely a good list of innovative companies. TBH, these companies are going to be the future of Bitcoin, and other blockchain based technologies. It's up to them to maintain the technological advancement of the industry.