I got in because I loved the concept of bitcoin and recognized the inevitability of it. A digital nongovernmental peer-to-peer currency will happen. I just dont think bitcoin will be it. Many have pointed out its likely to be a footnote like Napster is to music distribution. I agree.
Excellent post. Your change in sentiment towards Bitcoin mirrors my own.
Except for one thing. Because The Man will tighten his grip around Bitcoin I believe that no matter how low it goes, it will stay afloat and markets of sort in Bitcoin will continue to persist and slowly grow providing the slither of a backbone of real world economic transactions that any unit of exchange requires to keep it relevant. Once Bitcoin is fully 'owned and patented' by establishment finance, then it will most likely be pumped. Perhaps just in time for the US squeezing some misfortunate nation's balls economically, with Bitcoin offering the essential 'go to' means of capital flight out the country.
I see Bitcoin ultimately as a financial weapon of mass destruction, being set up to be aimed firmly at non-USD compliant nations. Satoshi Nakamoto worked for NSA. PHACT!