You dont have to run a public node, even a private node helps the network. Also, submit as many ideas as you have, this is a brainstorming contest
But even keeping a private node online costs significantly for some folks. (Guess I should do this though!)
Cool, will think of more, especially for the Xtnd thread since we'll need to know what the scripting language needs to be able to do.
Check out the EDIT to my earlier post, they may clarify other aspects of forging incentives, especially with regards to advanced consensus.