Addresses with <.001, or even .00000001 make up the most important part of the blockchain for those who invision BTC micro payments as the solution to problems like spam email
There is a similar case to be made for the history of every coin ever transacted.
This is the kind of stuff that would make blockchain heavier...
I'll bet on the smart guys here finding a solution that does not involve every casual user downloading the entire blockchain onto their little mom&pop chromebook.
They can already use an SPV or other lightweight wallet, and have a few to choose from.
There is enough value being created by BTC to solve all these problems. There will be more fees and I'll bet they will total close to 2% of every transaction with 5yrs. small price to pay for all the other benefits.
You won't need the whole blockchain, or confirmations, or 51 character private keys. That will be managed by whatever replaces Visa & Mastercard (unless they are more flexible then I predict).
I know nada about how the network works
Then you will need to place as much trust in those "managers" of your BTC, as you currently often have to do with fiat. What's the point of having BTC if you are going to be using it in a way that will let others easily deprive you of it?
There is plenty of space for UX to improve (and it has already vastly improved), but you can't have your cake and eat it too.